Dwarf rasbora - Boraras maculatus
Scientific name: Boraras maculatus
Common name: Dwarf rasbora
Family: Cyprinidae
Usual size in fish tanks: 2 - 3 cm (0.79 - 1.18 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 5 - 6.8
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 0 - 8°N (0 - 142.86ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 24 - 27 °C (75.2 - 80.6°F)
The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning
Where the species comes from: South Asia
Temperament to its own species: peaceful
Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful
Usual place in the tank: Middle levels
Origin
Asia; Dwarf rasboras are to be found in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Lifespan
The expected life span of Dwarf rasbora is 2-5 years.
Short description
A well planted tank will make these fish more at ease. This species should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish and they prefer soft, acidic water. Although the dwarf rasbora is a small species of fish they do need swimming space and males can develop their own territory in the aquarium so make sure that the front of the aquarium is left open confining the planting to the rear and sides for taller plants using low cover plants in the foreground. In the wild they inhabit water that is full of tannins and can be extremely acidic but tank bred specimens have adapted to living in less extreme conditions and should be fine in a general community set up as long as they are kept with other species that are very peaceful as any sign of aggression will make the dwarf rasbora very skittish and they may hide away.
Keep the lighting at a low level, floating plants can help to diffuse the light and keep the water flow turned to a slow rate to suit these fish.
Food and feeding
Quality flake should be the staple diet. Dwarf rasboras will also enjoy treats of daphnia, grindal worms, and newly hatched brine shrimp. They will also nibble at algae wafers.
Sexing
Males are slimmer than the females and will display more colouration.
Breeding
These rasboras are not prolific breeders, they normally lay batches of 50 eggs at any one time. Spawning mops should be included in the breeding tank as the parents may attempt to eat the eggs. The eggs should hatch between 24-36 hours and the free swimming fry can be fed on Infusoria. When they have grown slightly, newly hatched brine shrimp can be offered. For a higher success rate it is advised to use glass marbles or a fine mesh at the bottom of the breeding tank to allow the eggs to fall through, this will prevent the parent fish from feasting on the spawn. The dwarf rasbora can be bred in groups or as a single pair, this is purely a matter of choice but it is wise to use an air driven sponge filter for the breeding tanks to give you more control on the water flow and also to make cleaning of the filtration system easier. Too high a water flow can impede the male from fertilising the maximum number of eggs.
Pictures
Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.