TankBud

Scissortail rasbora

Rasbora trilineata

FreshwaterFish

Scissortail rasbora (Rasbora trilineata)
Lerdsuwa · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–77°F
22–25°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
45 gal
170 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
South East Asia

Overview

The scissortail rasbora is a peaceful, active shoaling fish for a spacious community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The scissortail rasbora is named for its deeply forked tail. The black and white barred lobes open and close as the fish hovers and swims, flicking like the blades of a pair of scissors. That constant snipping motion makes even a still, hovering fish easy to spot.

Caring for the scissortail rasbora

Keep scissortail rasboras in a group of at least six, and preferably more, so they swim boldly in the open rather than hanging back. A tank of 45 gal (170 L) or larger gives this energetic rasbora the length it needs. Use a secure lid, since an active shoal can be startled into jumping.

Set up a roomy tank with some current, a base of sand and gravel, driftwood and rounded rock. Plant the sides and back, and keep a long, open central lane for swimming. Keep the water at 72 to 77°F (22 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Scissortail rasboras are easy to feed and take flake, pellets, and frozen or live foods. They are peaceful, strong swimmers of the middle water, so keep them with other calm, active fish of similar size. They scatter their eggs and do not guard them, and breeding them in the aquarium is hard and rarely done at home.

Good to know

Rasbora trilineata is one of the larger members of the family Cyprinidae kept as a community fish, bigger than many rasboras. Its species name, trilineata, refers to the faint lines along its body.

In the wild

The scissortail rasbora is widespread across Southeast Asia. It lives in rivers, streams and flooded areas, from clear flowing water to softer forest streams.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The scissortail rasbora is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a scissortail rasbora need?

A scissortail rasbora needs at least 45 gal (170 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a scissortail rasbora need?

A scissortail rasbora is comfortable at 72–77°F (22–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a scissortail rasbora eat?

A scissortail rasbora is easy to feed and takes flake, pellets, and frozen or live foods.

How big does a scissortail rasbora get?

An adult scissortail rasbora reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

Does a scissortail rasbora need a group?

Yes. A scissortail rasbora is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a scissortail rasbora breed?

Scissortail rasboras scatter their eggs and do not guard them. Breeding them in the aquarium is hard and rarely done at home.

Related species