Harlequin Rasbora: The Vibrant Jewel of Community Aquariums

Origin and Distribution

The harlequin rasbora is a local of Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and southern Thailand. It inhabits streams and waters which are characterised principally by their low mineral content material and excessive concentrations of dissolved humic acids, which is typical of water that flows via swamped forests. The waterlogged soils of those forests inhibit the entire decay of leaf litter, ensuing within the formation of peat, which leaches humic acids. These circumstances resemble these discovered within the blackwater habitats of South America.

Colours and Markings

Of the greater than 5 dozen species of rasbora, the harlequin is arguably the most well-liked of all of them. Sometimes called a crimson rasbora, the physique is a reddish-copper coloration that’s accented by a placing black wedge protecting the rear half of the physique. The distinguishing triangular patch begins close to the dorsal fin and comes to a degree close to the bottom of the caudal fin.

This species seems to be just like the Pork Chop or Lamb Chop Rasbora (T. espei). and the Slender Wedge Rasbora (T. hengeli), and Somphong’s Rasbora (T. somphongsi), and these fish species will be differentiated primarily by the dimensions of the darkish “wedge.” These species of rasboras are listed from largest to smallest triangular patch.

Tankmates

The harlequin rasbora is a shoaling fish; it must be stored in faculties of eight to 10 people. Colleges of even bigger numbers make for a phenomenal show. You’ll be able to hold harlequins with any fish as lengthy it’s not giant and predatory. It won’t nip at or quarrel with another species. Some probably good tankmates might embody cardinal tetras, one betta, neon tetras, small barbs, dwarf gouramis, danios, different small rasboras, and cory catfish.

Harlequin Rasbora Habitat and Care

Rasboras are a real freshwater household of fish and are by no means seen in brackish waters. They like the lowland waters of southeastern Asia, the place the water is delicate and acidic. Harlequins choose an surroundings with areas of dense vegetation, an open space for swimming, a darkish substrate, and subdued lighting.

An aquarium supposed to deal with harlequin rasboras must be planted with reside vegetation. Create open areas for swimming between stands of vegetation akin to Cryptocoryne species, these being among the many vegetation that inhabit the harlequin rasbora’s native waters.

Harlequin Rasbora Weight loss plan and Feeding

Harlequins readily settle for all meals however choose to eat reside meals every time potential. In nature, their weight loss plan consists primarily of bugs. Nonetheless, they are going to settle for frozen meals and freeze-dried meals in addition to flake meals. A diverse weight loss plan will be certain that digestive issues or susceptibility to illness don’t happen. Brine shrimp, daphnia, and any sort of worm are wonderful supplemental meals, notably when conditioning earlier than breeding.

Gender Variations

Male harlequins are extra slender and a bit smaller than females. Though they share related colours and patterns, the males are usually extra brightly coloured than the females. As well as, the distinctive black wedge protecting the posterior of the fish could also be extra rounded in males and extra angular in females.

Breeding the Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequins are among the many harder tropical freshwater species to breed, nonetheless, spawning could also be achieved should you present the right circumstances. Choose younger specimens and situation them with reside meals akin to daphnia and mosquito larvae earlier than the spawning try. Harlequin rasbora differs from different fashionable rasboras within the aquarium in the case of breeding. Whereas different rasboras are egg-scattering spawners, harlequin rasboras are egg layers.

You’ll be able to breed teams of younger harlequins in a single aquarium. When spawned in teams, hold two males for each feminine. Hobbyists who’re intent upon simulating pure circumstances as carefully as potential might select to filter the aquarium water over peat, thus replicating the humic acid concentrations discovered within the fish’s native waters, though this isn’t vital if the essential water chemistry parameters (no larger than 4 dGH of hardness, pH round 6.4) are accurately maintained. The optimum water temperatures for spawning are between 76 and 80 levels Fahrenheit. Add Cryptocorynes or related broad-leafed vegetation to the breeding tank.

When you put together the breeding tank, introduce the breeding inventory late within the day. Spawning will normally start within the morning and is initiated by the male dancing and trembling earlier than the feminine. This spawning habits is meant to direct the feminine beneath an acceptable plant for depositing the eggs. You may even see the male nudging the edges of the feminine and rubbing his stomach in opposition to her again to maneuver her to the spawning location.

When able to spawn, the feminine will flip the other way up and rub her stomach in opposition to the underside of a leaf, signaling the male to affix her. The male will method her whereas persevering with to tremble, then wrap himself round her physique and fertilize the eggs as they’re launched. Six to 12 eggs are laid at a time. The fertilized eggs rise and cling to the underside of the leaves. Throughout one to 2 hours, as many as 300 eggs could also be laid, though 80 to 100 is extra typical.

When spawning is full, take away the breeding inventory from the aquarium, as they are going to eat the fry as soon as they hatch. In water temperatures of about 80 levels Fahrenheit, the eggs will hatch in roughly 24 hours. The fry are translucent and stay connected to the leaf upon which the eggs have been laid for one more 12 to 24 hours, throughout which era the yolk sac is absorbed.

As soon as this course of is accomplished, the fry turn into free-swimming, and at this stage, require very finely sized meals akin to reside infusoria for a interval of seven to 14 days, after which the fry can feed upon newly hatched brine shrimp. If infusoria are unavailable, commercially ready fry meals for an egglayer may additionally be used. Younger harlequin rasboras then attain sexual maturity in roughly six to 9 months.

Extra Pet Fish Species and Additional Analysis

If harlequin rasboras enchantment to you, and you have an interest in some suitable fish in your aquarium, learn up on:

• Dwarf gouramis species profile
• Cardinal tetras species profile
• Neon tetras species profile

Try further fish breed profiles for extra info on different freshwater fish.