Clown Rasbora

The Clown Rasbora is a medium-sized, peaceful, shoaling species that is ideal for spacious softwater aquaria. The tank should be mature with plenty of dark décor including tangles of driftwood and robust planting.

Ideally, the tank will be at least 4ft long, as these are active fish, and the group should contain an absolute minimum of 12 specimens. Kept in more cramped conditions and in insufficient numbers, problems with aggression between males are far more likely to arise. A good sized group also has the advantage of being more likely to contain a mix of sexes, which means that the males will frequently display to the females, and will exhibit their most dazzling colours.

The ankmates should be of similar size and temperament; ideal companions could include some of the eel loaches (Pangiospp.), small peaceful barbs (such as P. foerschi, P. pentazona, or P. rhomboocellatus), and Chocolate gouramis. Looking further afield, many of the medium sized South American tetras and Corydoras catfish also make excellent tankmates.