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Sumatran rasbora

Rasbora sumatrana

Also known as Sumatrana rasbora

FreshwaterFish

Sumatran rasbora (Rasbora sumatrana)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Mainland Southeast Asia and Sundaland

Overview

The Sumatran rasbora is a robust, larger rasbora for general communities. It is an easy, trouble-free fish that cruises the middle of a long tank.

Did you know

The Sumatran rasbora is named for Sumatra, but it turns up across a huge stretch of Southeast Asia. The name really marks where the first described specimen happened to be caught, not where the fish mostly lives.

Caring for the Sumatran rasbora

Sumatran rasboras need a long tank of 42 gal (160 L) or larger, because of their adult size and love of open water. Leave room to swim, and add some wood and plants for structure. They like a steady current to work against.

Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, from soft and acidic to neutral. They are entirely unfussy about food and take flake, pellets, and frozen or live items with equal readiness.

Keep a group of at least six, and more if there is room. Pair them with other active, peaceful fish of similar size, such as barbs and loaches. Their aquarium breeding is not recorded, though they are egg-scattering spawners like their relatives.

Good to know

The Sumatran rasbora, Rasbora sumatrana, belongs to the family Danionidae. It heads a species group that taxonomists continue to untangle.

In the wild

The Sumatran rasbora ranges widely through mainland Southeast Asia and Sundaland. It lives in streams and creeks with moderate to swift, relatively cool and well-oxygenated water.

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Tank mates

The Sumatran 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 Sumatran rasbora need?

A Sumatran rasbora needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Sumatran rasbora need?

A Sumatran rasbora is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

What does a Sumatran rasbora eat?

A Sumatran rasbora is entirely unfussy about food. It takes flake, pellets, and frozen or live items with equal readiness.

How big does a Sumatran rasbora get?

An adult Sumatran rasbora reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a Sumatran rasbora need a group?

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

How does a Sumatran rasbora breed?

A Sumatran rasbora is an egg-scattering spawner, like its relatives. Its breeding in aquariums has not been recorded.

Related species