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Twospot rasbora

Rasbora elegans

Also known as Elegant rasbora

FreshwaterFish

Twospot rasbora (Rasbora elegans)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Borneo and Sumatra

Overview

The twospot rasbora is the heavyweight of its genus, a peaceful but energetic schooling fish for a long community tank. It is easy to care for.

Did you know

A fully grown twospot rasbora can approach the width of a dinner plate. Most rasboras are finger-length little fish, so it is the quiet giant of a genus far better known for miniatures.

Caring for the twospot rasbora

Give a shoal of twospot rasboras a long tank of 53 gal (200 L) or more, with long, open swimming lanes. They grow large and swim nervously in cramped quarters. A sandy substrate with driftwood and hardy plants suits them, with some current.

Keep the water soft to neutral, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Feeding is easy, as they take flake, sinking granules, and meaty frozen or live foods readily.

Keep a group of at least six so they feel secure. Twospot rasboras are peaceful but energetic, and they stay gentle at any size. They mix well with barbs, loaches and other robust community fish that can match their length. They scatter their eggs and give no parental care, though aquarium breeding is not documented.

Good to know

The twospot rasbora, Rasbora elegans, belongs to the family Danionidae. It commonly reaches about 15 centimeters, with records approaching 20. It is marked by a bold blotch at the middle of the body and a second near the tail base. Those are the two spots of its common name.

In the wild

The twospot rasbora lives in forest streams and rivers across Sundaland, in the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Borneo and Sumatra. Its home waters flow among wood and plants.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The twospot 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 twospot rasbora need?

A twospot rasbora needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a twospot rasbora need?

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

What does a twospot rasbora eat?

A twospot rasbora is easy to feed. It readily takes flake, sinking granules, and meaty frozen or live foods.

How big does a twospot rasbora get?

An adult twospot rasbora reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Does a twospot rasbora need a group?

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

How does a twospot rasbora breed?

A twospot rasbora is an egg scatterer that gives no parental care. Breeding it in aquariums is not documented.

Related species