Brilliant Rasbora

The Brilliant Rasbora, also known as Einthoven's Rasbora, is a striking larger rasbora species native to the waterways of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Adults display a beautiful golden-yellow to coppery body coloration with a prominent dark lateral stripe running from the nose to the tail. Males develop an especially intense coloration during breeding displays, showing brilliant orange and red hues on their fins. Unlike smaller rasboras, these fish have a more substantial presence in the aquarium and command attention with their size and color. They are active swimmers that occupy the middle to upper water levels and prefer to be kept in groups. When maintained in optimal conditions with good water quality and appropriate tank mates, their colors become truly spectacular, living up to their common name.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Brilliant Rasboras require a spacious aquarium with plenty of swimming room due to their adult size and active nature. A 40-gallon tank or larger with a longer footprint is ideal. Incorporate dense planting along the back and sides while leaving the center open for swimming. Dark substrates and subdued lighting help enhance their brilliant coloration.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 73-82°F (23-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.0
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderate, 2-12 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm

Feeding

As omnivores, they accept a variety of foods including quality flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods. Due to their larger size, they can handle slightly bigger food items than smaller rasboras. Offer a mix of protein-rich foods and vegetable matter to maintain their vibrant colors and health.

Behavior & Compatibility

These peaceful fish should be kept in schools of 6 or more. They are generally good community fish but their larger size means they should not be housed with very small tank mates that could be seen as food. They coexist well with other peaceful fish of similar size such as larger tetras, other rasboras, and non-aggressive gouramis.

Tips for Success

• Maintain pristine water quality with regular weekly water changes to keep their colors vibrant
• Groups of 8-10 show the best coloration and most natural schooling behavior
• Males will display the most intense colors when kept in mixed-sex groups
• Add floating plants to create dappled lighting effects that bring out their metallic sheen
• They appreciate gentle water movement that mimics their natural stream habitats
• Provide varied diet with color-enhancing foods to maintain their brilliant appearance