Scissortail Rasbora

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingEasy tank upkeep

  No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment5–8 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Skin conditions

The Scissortail Rasbora (Rasbora trilineata) is a river fish from Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula, reaching about 8 to 12 cm in aquaria though usually staying at the lower end of that range. Its body is plain silver, but each lobe of the deeply forked tail carries a black bar with a white tip, and the constant scissoring motion of those lobes as it swims is its signature. It is an active open-water swimmer that needs length rather than height: a tank of 150 litres or more, at 22-26C with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and moderate current, suits a group of six or more. Provide planting along the sides and back but keep the middle open for swimming, and cover the tank because it jumps. Feed flake, pellets and frozen or live daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp. It is hardy, peaceful and easy, but the adult size is the honest constraint: it is often sold at 3 cm and mistaken for a nano fish, which it is not.

• How active is a Scissortail Rasbora?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Scissortail Rasbora need?

  Easy tank upkeep. No grooming here — steady water quality and routine tank care do it.

• What tank size does a Scissortail Rasbora need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Scissortail Rasbora a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Scissortail Rasbora live?

  5–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Scissortail Rasbora?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Skin conditions. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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