Harlequin Rasbora

A hardy schooling fish with a distinctive black wedge pattern. Harlequins are excellent community fish and look best in groups.

tankSize
60L (15 gal) minimum for a school
careLevel
Beginner
temperature
23 to 27C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Flakes or micro-pellets plus occasional frozen foods
lifespan
4 to 6 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (schooling)
weeklyMaintenance
Water changes and basic cleaning

Best for

  • Beginner community tanks
  • Owners who want an active schooling display
  • Planted aquariums with gentle flow
  • Tanks with peaceful tank mates

Not ideal for

  • Aggressive community setups
  • Very small tanks with no room for a school
  • Uncycled tanks
  • People who want a solitary, interactive fish

Temperament

  • Peaceful and social
  • More confident in groups of 8 or more
  • Mixes well with other calm species

Daily routine

feeding: Feed once or twice daily; remove uneaten food.
check: Watch for active schooling and normal fins.
enrichment: Plants and open swimming space support natural behavior.

Living fit

smallHome: Great fit for modest-sized community aquariums.
kids: Fun to watch and easy to care for with routine.
firstTimeOwner: Very beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.

Health notes

  • Hardy but still needs stable water quality.
  • Overfeeding can quickly degrade water parameters.
  • Quarantine new fish to protect the community.

Cost and time

time: Low daily time; simple weekly maintenance.
cost: Affordable fish; standard community setup cost.

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