Red Tailed Rasbora (Rasbora borapetensis)

The Red Tailed Rasbora is a sleek, torpedo-shaped fish native to the river basins of Southeast Asia. It is characterized by a shimmering silver body featuring a bold black lateral line, topped with a glowing gold/bronze stripe. Its most striking feature, however, is the splash of bright red at the base of its caudal (tail) fin. These fish are active, mid-to-top level swimmers that bring a sense of constant, playful motion to the aquarium.

Key Information

• Common Name: Red Tailed Rasbora, Blackline Rasbora, Borapet Rasbora

• Scientific Name: Rasbora borapetensis

• Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Mekong Basin)

• Max Size: 5–6 cm

• Lifespan: 3–5 years

• Temperament: Very peaceful and active

• Diet: Omnivore – Readily accepts high-quality flakes, pellets, and frozen foods like bloodworms or daphnia.

• Care Level: Easy (Very hardy)

Water Parameters

Parameter	Value
Temperature:	22–26°C
pH:	6.5–7.5
Hardness:	5–12 dGH
Minimum Tank Size:	60L+ (Needs length for swimming)

Behaviour & Tank Compatibility

Red Tailed Rasboras are social schooling fish and must be kept in a group of at least 8–10. In a group, they are much more confident and will school tightly when they feel active. They are exceptionally peaceful and make ideal tank mates for almost any non-aggressive species, including Neon Blue Acaras, Gouramis, Corydoras, and Neocaridina Shrimp.

Ideal Tank Setup

• Swimming Space: Because they are fast and active, they require plenty of open horizontal space. A "Long" tank is much better than a "Tall" or cube tank.

• Dense Planting: They look best when they have a backdrop of green plants to dart into. Tall background plants like Vallisneria or Hygrophila are perfect.

• Moderate Current: They enjoy a gentle to moderate current, mimicking the slow-moving rivers they inhabit in the wild.

• Dark Substrate: Using a dark sand or soil substrate helps their silver body and gold stripe "pop" visually.

• Secure Lid: Like many streamlined rasboras, they can be jumpers if startled, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended.

Why Choose the Red Tailed Rasbora?

The Red Tailed Rasbora is for the aquarist who wants a lively, no-fuss fish that adds a sophisticated "racing stripe" look to their tank. They are one of the most resilient rasboras, making them a "set-it-and-forget-it" species for a busy hobbyist. If you have a larger community tank and need a school of fish that fills the upper layers with activity, this is a top-tier choice.