Neon Red Rasbora - Sundadanio rubellus : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
The Neon Red Rasbora (Sundadanio rubellus) boasts striking vibrancy, making it a captivating addition to any aquarium. Despite their small size, these fish possess distinct personalities, adding a delightful dimension to a peaceful community tank. However, it's essential to note that they are better suited for aquarists with some experience due to their specific care requirements.
Known for their tranquil demeanour, Neon Red Rasboras are best kept in a community that accommodates their modest size and reserved nature. Ideally, they should share their habitat with compatible species of similar dimensions and water preferences, such as micro Rasboras, Boraras, and Dwarf Barbs. This ensures a harmonious coexistence grounded in shared environmental needs.
To promote the well-being of Neon Red Rasboras, maintaining a school of no fewer than six individuals is crucial, as it allows them to express their natural shoaling behaviour. Precise attention to water parameters and environmental conditions is equally vital. These Rasboras thrive in habitats characterized by dense vegetation alongside open swimming areas, all under subdued lighting conditions, ensuring optimal care and comfort.
Neon Red Rasboras exhibit striking characteristics, including a shimmering bluish-green hue on their dorsal body surface. They are further distinguished by a vivid red-orange stripe that runs along their lower side, contrasting beautifully with the blue-emerald green sheen extending from just behind their gills to a point opposite the middle of their anal fin. Their stomachs also display a reddish-orange hue; notably, these vibrant fish display an eye-catching black-red marking on the front part of their anal fin.
Male Neon Red Rasbora, when preserved, showcase a continuous dark lateral stripe that runs along their entire length, with a uniform depth and a horizontal alignment through the lower part of their eye. Additionally, a well-defined secondary lateral stripe composed of small melanophores parallels the dark lateral stripe along its lower edge, extending from behind the gills to a point opposite the middle of the anal fin. Towards the posterior section of the dorsal body surface, behind the dorsal fin, a subtle reticulate pattern may be observed, adding to the intricate beauty of these fish.
Neon Red Rasbora Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Differentiating between male and female Neon Red Rasbora is a relatively uncomplicated task. Males display more pronounced and extensive blue colouration on the upper dorsal part of their bodies, a feature absent in females. Moreover, males typically have slenderer body shapes compared to their female counterparts. An additional distinguishing characteristic is the presence of dark pigmentation in the anal and ventral fins of males, whereas females exhibit colourless anal fins.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Sundadanio rubellus |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2011 |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Sundadanio |
| Origins | Indonesia |
| Max Size | 2 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 8+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg Depositor |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 3 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.0 - 6.5 |
| GH | 1 - 5 |
| ℉ | 73 - 79 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22 - 26 |
Natural Habitat
Neon Red Rasboras are indigenous to the Southern Kapuas River Delta, situated in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. These distinctive fish predominantly inhabit the unique ecosystems of peat swamp forests and blackwater streams, characterized by their notably acidic water conditions.
Breeding
Breeding the Neon Red Rasbora in a home aquarium setting presents notable challenges and has historically yielded limited success. The primary hurdle lies in the species' sensitivity to water conditions, which necessitates the creation of separate spawning and rearing tanks, a task that can be complex. Nevertheless, some instances of successful breeding have been reported, and it has been observed that maintaining adult fish in a substantial group within a well-established, heavily planted aquarium is the most effective approach.
Maintaining stable water parameters is of utmost importance, with a slightly acidic pH level being particularly conducive to breeding. Emulating blackwater conditions by incorporating real peat fibre and leaves into the environment is believed to be highly advantageous, as it promotes the growth of essential microorganisms for the fish. Bright lighting should be avoided, and providing a diet rich in live and frozen foods is essential to stimulate spawning activity. When the aquarium attains the delicate equilibrium between water conditions, adequate cover, and microfauna, the fry should naturally begin to appear without necessitating further intervention.
Diet & Feeding
The diet of Neon Red Rasbora encompasses a range of dietary preferences that can be accommodated in a home aquarium. These small and vibrant fish are omnivorous by nature, meaning they readily accept both animal-based and plant-based foods. In their natural habitat, they primarily feed on tiny aquatic invertebrates, zooplankton, and algae.
In a well-maintained aquarium, they thrive when provided with a varied diet that includes high-quality commercial flakes or pellets specifically designed for small tropical fish. Supplementing their diet with live or frozen offerings such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and finely chopped vegetables like blanched spinach or zucchini is also beneficial.
This diverse diet ensures that Neon Red Rasbora receives the essential nutrients necessary for their overall health, vibrant colouration, and well-being in a captive environment.
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