Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Brilliant Rasbora
Rasbora einthovenii
From Southeast Asia: southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Bangka and Borneo; peat swamp forests and blackwater streams123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Seriously Fish gives about 9 cm SL and FishBase a maximum of 10.6 cm SL; Wikipedia gives 5 cm for adults
Looks how to spot one
Slender, elongated scaled cyprinid
A slender, elongated rasbora with a pinkish body. A dark band with uneven, crinkly edges runs along the side and continues through and past the eye. Colours look richest in tannin-stained water under soft light. Females are rounder and often larger than males.1
Personality what they are like
Very peaceful and easygoing, mixing well with a wide range of small community fish. It is more confident and colourful in a group.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An active schooling swimmer that needs a reasonably long tank with swimming space.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep the water clean with regular changes. Dim lighting and tannin-stained water bring out its colour.1
Home where they are happiest
A tank of at least 120 x 30 x 30 cm (about 113 litres). Temperature 22-26 °C, pH 5.0-7.5 (FishBase 6.0-6.5), soft water around 2-10 °H. Dark substrate, plants, wood and leaf litter mimic its forest streams.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A micropredator feeding on worms, small crustaceans and insects. Offer small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia, with dried food as a supplement rather than the only food.12
Company who they like around
Keep at least six together. Good companions are other small cyprinids, tetras, livebearers, dwarf cichlids, catfish and loaches.1
The story where it all began
Pieter Bleeker described this species in 1851. In the wild it lives in forest streams and peat swamp waters across the Malay Peninsula and western Indonesia.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Assessed as Least Concern (January 2019)2
- FishBase
- Described by Bleeker in 1851; listed as a commercial aquarium species2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Brilliant Rasbora. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Brilliant Rasbora?
Feed your Brilliant Rasbora small amounts once or twice daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding. Offer a variety of small live and frozen foods like Daphnia and Artemia, with dried food as a supplement.12 Furry Diary plan
What does a Brilliant Rasbora eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Brilliant Rasbora eats small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia, plus dried food as a supplement. The facts do not specify foods to avoid, so ask a vet or good breeder for what it should never eat.12
How much space does a Brilliant Rasbora need?
Your Brilliant Rasbora needs a tank of at least 113 litres (120x30x30 cm) with plenty of swimming space. It is an active schooling swimmer, so a long tank is best.12
What temperature, light or water does a Brilliant Rasbora need?
Keep the water at 22-26°C, pH 5.0-7.5, and soft (2-10 °H). Dim lighting and tannin-stained water bring out its beautiful colours.12
How often should I clean a Brilliant Rasbora's home?
Clean your Brilliant Rasbora's home weekly by changing about 25% of the water and cleaning the glass. Rinse the filter monthly in old tank water, never tap water. Furry Diary's plan recommends this routine.1 Furry Diary plan
Can a Brilliant Rasbora live with others?
Yes, your Brilliant Rasbora is very peaceful and thrives in a group of at least six. Good companions include small cyprinids, tetras, livebearers, dwarf cichlids, catfish, and loaches.1
How long does a Brilliant Rasbora live?
The facts do not provide a specific lifespan for the Brilliant Rasbora. Lifespan can vary, so ask a vet or good breeder for more information.
Can I handle a Brilliant Rasbora?
The facts do not cover handling. As a general rule, fish are delicate and should not be handled. Consult a vet or breeder for advice.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish - Rasbora einthovenii seriouslyfish.comused for origin, size, tank size, water parameters, diet, behaviour, colour, facts
- FishBase - Rasbora einthovenii fishbase.seused for author/year, IUCN status, size, habitat, diet, spawning
- Wikipedia - Rasbora einthovenii en.wikipedia.orgused for distribution, alternate adult size
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.