Red Line Rasbora

The Red Line Rasbora, scientifically known as Rasbora pauciperforata, is a peaceful cyprinid found in the slow-moving blackwater swamps, streams, and forest pools of Sumatra, Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia. It is highly valued for its striking red lateral stripe and suitability for planted and community aquariums.

Adult Red Line Rasboras reach about 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 cm) in length. Their slender bodies are translucent to golden, with a vivid red stripe running from just behind the gill cover down the flanks to the tail. This stripe is most intense in well-conditioned fish, especially males, and contrasts sharply against the pale body. The fins are generally clear, sometimes with faint reddish hues.

A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended for a school. As shoaling fish, Red Line Rasboras should be kept in groups of six or more to encourage natural behavior and coloration. Provide a heavily planted setup with open swimming areas, floating vegetation to diffuse light, and a dark substrate to bring out their colors. Leaf litter or botanicals can help replicate their natural blackwater environment.

Water parameters should include a temperature of 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), a pH between 5.0 and 7.0, and very soft to moderately hard water. They do best in tannin-stained, acidic water but adapt well to stable, clean conditions.

Feeding Rasbora pauciperforata is straightforward. They are micropredators in the wild and readily accept high-quality micro pellets, flakes, and small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp. Regular feedings of live or frozen food help bring out their best coloration.

Red Line Rasboras are peaceful and ideal for community tanks with other small, gentle fish such as other rasboras, tetras, dwarf gouramis, Corydoras, and shrimp. Avoid housing them with large or boisterous species.

Breeding is possible in captivity. They are egg scatterers, releasing eggs among fine-leaved plants or moss. Adults do not guard the eggs and will eat them if not removed, so a separate breeding tank is recommended. Fry can be raised on infusoria and transitioned to baby brine shrimp as they grow.

Rasbora pauciperforata (Red Line Rasbora) is a beautiful, understated schooling fish that brings peaceful movement and a vivid red accent to blackwater and planted aquariums.