Buying rasboras for your fish tank might be an appealing idea based on how pretty they are. These fish come in several different types, and they can certainly add to the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium.
If you’re a beginner, you might be worried about caring for rasboras. It’s disappointing to buy some pretty fish and wind up having them die in the tank after just a short amount of time.
Are rasboras fish that will die easily? Or are they considered to be hardy fish?
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about rasboras as a newcomer to the hobby. You’ll learn whether they’re easy to care for so you can decide if they’re right for your tank.
Rasboras Are Indeed Hardy
You’ll be happy to hear that rasboras are indeed hardy fish. These fish are easy to care for, and they’re fantastic for beginners.
As a beginner, you’ll have an easy time meeting the basic care needs of these fish. They aren’t delicate or tricky to care for in any way.
That doesn’t mean that they can’t die, though. You have to take care of them and monitor the conditions in the tank, but they’re hardy enough that they can survive when you make a few minor mistakes.
Don’t shy away from buying rasboras if you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience caring for fish. These fish will be a great choice for helping you to gain experience as a fish tank owner.
Can Rasboras Be Kept Alone?
No, it’s not okay to keep one rasbora in a fish tank. These fish are schooling fish that need to be kept in groups.
Generally, it’s said that you should buy at least seven rasboras for one fish tank. Depending on the type of rasboras that you’re buying, you might need to keep more or less of them in the tank.
Always make sure that you have more than enough room in the tank to accommodate the rasboras. When you keep enough rasboras in the tank, it helps them to be happier overall.
The fish will show their best colors when kept in a group that’s the appropriate size. Also, they’ll be healthier and more active in the tank.
Rasbora Water Parameters
Getting the water parameters right is one of the most important things to focus on. You need to pay attention to the conditions in the tank so the fish can stay healthy.
The pH balance of the water should remain between 6.8 and 7.8. The alkalinity of the water needs to be between 50 ppm and 140 ppm.
Monitoring the temperature of the water is equally as important. Rasboras do best when the temperature stays between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
These fish are hardy enough to tolerate water temperatures that are a bit higher or lower. Also, some species have slightly different temperature preferences, but the range given above should be a great general range for all popular rasbora types.
Ensure that you use a heater in the fish tank to keep the water temperature from fluctuating. Fluctuating temperatures can cause stress to the fish and make them sick.
Use a filter to keep the water clean so that the pH balance will stay where it needs to be. Don’t use a filter that’s too strong because these fish don’t like strong currents.
You will need to clean the fish tank regularly and do regular water changes. So long as you handle these basic things, it’ll be easy to keep the rasboras in good shape.
Feeding Rasboras
Feeding rasboras won’t be a difficult task. These fish mostly eat things like tropical fish flakes in captivity.
However, it is good to supplement the diet of these fish with live or freeze-dried food. Several times per week, you should give the rasboras worms or brine shrimp as a snack.
These fish should be fed two or three times per day. Most experts say that feeding a school of rasboras three times per day is best.
Give the fish tropical fish flakes each day. These types of fish flakes give rasboras the nutrients that they need to grow and thrive.
When feeding these fish, feed them as much as they can eat in three minutes. Do your best not to feed the fish too much since it can lead to constipation.
Rasboras in a Community Tank
It’s great that rasboras are peaceful because they’re perfect for community tanks. These fish can get along with many other types of fish that you might be interested in.
People commonly keep rasboras in community fish tanks with dwarf gouramis. Dwarf gouramis aren’t a lot bigger than most popular types of rasboras, and that makes them great as tank mates for them.
Cory catfish will be a lovely option to consider. These peaceful bottom-dwellers will never bug the rasboras, and they’ll both coexist without any problem in a community aquarium.
Danios fish are popular tank mates to consider, too. You can make a community tank that looks truly beautiful if you take the time to research compatibility across the board.
Rasbora Lifespan
The lifespan of rasboras will differ based on the species that is being discussed. Harlequin rasboras are among the most popular fish, and they’re generally going to live between five and eight years.
Chili rasboras are smaller fish that have lifespans between four and eight years. Lambchop rasboras only live for three to five years.
Scissortail rasboras generally live for five years in a fish tank when all goes well. As you can see, the lifespans will be different when you’re looking at different rasbora species.
Final Thoughts
Knowing that rasboras are hardy should make you feel more confident about buying them. These fish are beginner-friendly, and they’re amazing fish to own.
These are hardy and active fish that you’ll enjoy watching in the aquarium. It’s also great that they’re peaceful fish that will work in a community aquarium.
Be sure to monitor the water parameters when caring for these fish. Take care of the basics to keep the fish in good health.
Feed them well, and they’ll very likely live for many years in your tank. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of these fish for years to come.
Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his family’s fish tank. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything he’s learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium.