Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Their temperament is extremely peaceful, shy, and delicate. They rely on the safety of their shoal and will become stressed and prone to disease if kept in too small a group. When kept in appropriate conditions with calm tank mates, they are active and fascinating to observe.

Diet

Omnivore

Being micro-predators, their diet in the wild consists of tiny insects and zooplankton. In captivity, they require very small foods such as micro-pellets, crushed flakes, and live or frozen baby brine shrimp. Offering a variety of appropriately sized live foods is crucial to bring out their best colors and ensure vibrant health.

Sex ratio

School

It is highly recommended to keep them in a school of at least 8 to 10 individuals to reduce stress. A mixed group is fine, though keeping a ratio of more females to males can help disperse any minor male-to-male sparring. Males will naturally display their best colors when competing for female attention in a large group.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Due to their small stomachs, it is best to feed them small amounts two to three times a day. Overfeeding can lead to water quality issues, so only offer what they can consume in a minute or two. Frequent, small meals closely mimic their natural foraging behavior in the wild.

Bioload

Axelrod's Rasbora is a very small fish, meaning it produces an extremely low bioload. They are perfect for nano aquariums or heavily planted setups where their minor waste output is easily absorbed by plants. Regular, small water changes are still necessary to maintain the pristine water quality they require.

Flow

Stagnant

They originate from slow-moving blackwater streams and peat swamps, so they prefer very gentle water movement. Strong currents will exhaust them and cause significant stress, leading to poor health. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter provides the ideal combination of gentle flow and filtration.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding is possible but requires a dedicated setup with very soft, acidic blackwater conditions. They are egg scatterers and offer no parental care, often eating their own eggs if given the chance. A breeding tank with dense moss or a spawning mop is required to protect the eggs and raise the tiny fry.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are incredibly peaceful but timid, making them suitable only for very tranquil micro-community tanks. They should be kept with other diminutive, peaceful species like small tetras, Corydoras, or dwarf shrimp. Avoid any large, fast, or aggressive fish that could easily intimidate or consume them.

Tank level

Middle

They are predominantly mid-level dwellers, often hovering gracefully in the middle of the water column. They will occasionally venture to the surface for food or retreat to the bottom when frightened. Providing dense planting and floating plants gives them the security to swim out in the open.