I have grown up with the idea that this delightful fish's scientific name was Rasbora heteromorpha. This used to be correct, with the heteromorpha referring to the fact
that this fish is not a typical Rasbora. Now the name has been changed
to Trigonostigma heteromorpha because of the several differences between the Harlequin Rasbora and the other Rasboras.
As well as being called the "Harlequin Rasbora". It is called the "Rasbora", the "Harlequin" and the "Red Rasbora".
The Harlequin Rasbora is native to Singapore, Malaysia, Sumatra and parts
of Thailand. It is found in small streams, often ones coming from peat
bogs where the water is stained brown with tannins. The water tends to
be soft, acidic and low in total salts. The Harlequin Rasbora is one of
the little fish that can be found in the small ditches in Singapore.
Although
I have seen reports of Harlequin Rasboras reaching nearly 2 inches
(5cm) nearly all are less than this. The Harlequin Rasbora will live
for about 6 years,
Water Conditions
The Harlequin
Rasbora is a tropical fish and temperatures of between 21̊ C (70̊ F)
and 28̊ C (85̊ F) are suitable. I recommend a temperature setting of
24̊ C (75̊ F) for a mixed tank containing Harlequin Rasboras. Although
the water in its native habitat tends to be soft, acidic and low in
salts, the Harlequin Rasbora is able to adapt to living in a wide range
of water conditions, and can live happily in neutral water somewhat
harder than it is used to.
Live plants are a very good idea with the Harlequin Rasbora.
Companions
The Harlequin Rasbora is very much a schooling fish and a reasonable sized
group should be kept. A school of a dozen Harlequin Rasboras is a
beautiful and striking sight. Although the Harlequin Rasbora is an
Asian fish of a different group, its characteristics are similar to
many of the small South American tetras.
I would avoid large or
very aggressive fish, but the Harlequin Rasbora is an ideal fish for a
community tank of small fish. Suitable companion species for Harlequin Rasboras are Lemon
Tetras, Neon Tetras, Black Widow Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Emperor
Tetras, Head and Tail Light Tetras, Glass Bloodfin Tetras, Glowlight
Tetras, Guppies, Endlers Guppies, Neon Tetras, Peppered Catfish, Siamese Fighting Fish , White Cloud Mountain Minnows and Zebra Danios. Note that not all these common companions are compatible with each other.
Breeding
One
of the reasons the Harlequin Rasbora was removed from the Rasbora genus
was its breeding behaviour. The other Rasboras are egg scatterers while
the Harlequin Rasbora attaches its eggs to the underside of leaves,
turning upside down to do it.
In contrast to the ease of keeping
the Harlequin Rasbora, the conditions for breeding need to mimic the
natural habitat of this fish fairly well. A temperature of 28̊C (82̊ F)
is suitable. Soft, acidic water is essential; a ph of 6 with hardness
less than 3̊ is alright. A high level of tanninsin the water is also
recommended.
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Harlequin Rasboras
Photo by Lascorz [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Harlequin Rasbora
Photo by Lascorz [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
