Blue Rasbora Care Guide - Ideal Tank Mates, Breeding, Size, Lifespan

An Introduction to the Blue Rasbora

The blue rasbora, whose scientific name is Rasbora axelrodi, is a stunning freshwater fish that has recently grown in popularity in the aquarium trade. Their vibrant blue and red coloration makes them stand out in planted aquariums. Despite their small size, blue rasboras have big personalities and are fun to watch as they actively swim around the tank.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping blue rasboras, including their origin, care requirements, tank mates, breeding, and more. Whether you already keep these fish or are considering getting some, you’ll learn key facts about this unique aquarium species.

Natural Habitat and Origin

Blue rasboras are native to parts of Southeast Asia. Their natural habitats are slow-moving streams, ponds, and rice paddies located in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. They prefer calm waters with plenty of vegetation to provide cover.

In the wild, blue rasboras typically grow to around 1.5 to 2 inches long. Selective breeding in captivity has produced varieties that remain under an inch in length. Their petite size makes them perfect for nano aquariums.

Blue Rasbora Appearance

The most striking feature of the blue rasbora is its brilliant blue lateral stripe that extends from head to tail. The males tend to be more intensely colored than females. Breeding males develop even richer hues, along with red fins and belly.

These fish have slim, torpedo-shaped bodies well-suited for swimming in open water. When they turn sideways, the blue rasbora’s narrow profile allows it to easily slip between plants and roots. Its upturned mouth is designed for surface feeding.

Blue Rasbora Care Guide

Despite their small size, blue rasboras are quite hardy when provided with good water quality and proper tank conditions. Here are some tips for successfully keeping this species:

• Tank Size - A 10 gallon aquarium is adequate for a small school of 6-8 blue rasboras. Bigger is always better to disperse aggression within the group.
• Water Parameters - They prefer soft, acidic water with a pH between 6.0-7.0, hardness between 4-12 dGH, and temperatures between 75-82°F.
• Diet - In the wild they are omnivores, eating both small invertebrates and plant matter. Offer a quality flake/pellet along with live/frozen foods.
• Plants - Blue rasboras appreciate having lots of plants to swim through and explore. Floating, stem, and carpet plants provide ample hiding spots.
• Current - Low water movement from a sponge filter or air-powered sponge filter is ideal. Avoid strong currents.

Perform partial water changes of 25-30% weekly and monitor parameters to maintain excellent water quality. Use an aquarium test kit to check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and hardness.

Ideal Blue Rasbora Tank Mates

Blue rasboras are peaceful community fish that can be combined with a variety of tank mates. Some suitable options include:

• Other small, peaceful schooling fish like ember tetras, neon tetras, or glowlight tetras
• Dwarf cichlids like cockatoo dwarf cichlids or kribensis
• Invertebrates like cherry shrimp, amano shrimp, nerite snails
• Bottom dwellers like corydoras catfish and otocinclus

Avoid tank mates that may view them as food, such as large cichlids or fast predatory fish. Also avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs that may harass them.

Breeding Blue Rasboras

Blue rasboras are egg scatterers that are fairly easy to breed if provided good conditions. To induce spawning behavior:

• Keep a group of at least 6 fish, with a higher ratio of females to males.
• Feed high quality live and frozen foods to condition the fish.
• Perform regular partial water changes with cooler water to mimic rainfall.
• Add floating plants like hornwort which they will use as spawning sites.

During spawning the male will court and chase the female, nipping at her abdomen until she releases eggs that he fertilizes. The parents do not care for the eggs, so move them to a separate rearing tank. The eggs will hatch in 24-36 hours, and the tiny fry can initially be fed infusoria, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Why Keep Blue Rasboras?

Here are just a few reasons why the blue rasbora makes an excellent addition to community aquariums:

• Peaceful disposition suitable for community tanks
• Bright blue and red coloration
• Active swimmers that utilize all areas of the tank
• Shoaling behavior
• Does well in planted tanks
• Hardy and able to tolerate a wide temperature range
• Can be bred relatively easily

For an aquarium fish that packs a lot of color into a small package, it's hard to top the stunning blue rasbora. When kept in an appropriately sized tank with good water quality, a small school of these beauties will add tons of color and activity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Rasboras

How big do blue rasboras get?

In the wild, blue rasboras typically reach lengths of 1.5 to 2 inches at maturity. Through selective breeding, some tank-raised varieties max out under an inch. But most captive bred blues will get between 1 and 1.5 inches long when fully grown.

Are blue rasboras easy to keep?

Yes, blue rasboras are a great beginner fish because they are hardy, not demanding in terms of water parameters, peaceful, and adaptable to a range of conditions. They make an excellent choice for someone new to the aquarium hobby.

How many blue rasboras should be kept together?

Blue rasboras are schooling fish, so they are most comfortable and display natural behavior when kept in groups. Shoals of 6 to 8 are recommended for smaller tanks, while larger aquariums can easily house groups of 10+. The more blue rasboras, the better in terms of reducing stress and aggression.

Do blue rasboras need a heater?

Blue rasboras prefer water temperatures between 75-82°F. Unless your tank water stays consistently in this range year round, a heater is recommended to provide a stable, tropical temperature. Substrate heaters can also be used for planted tank setups.

Are blue rasboras jumpers?

Blue rasboras aren't notorious jumpers, but it's still wise to have a tight-fitting, secure lid on your aquarium. All fish may accidentally leap from an open tank, so covering the top can prevent disastrous jumping escapes.

Conclusion

The brilliant blue rasbora proves that good things can come in small packages. This active little fish is hardy, peaceful, visually striking, and ideal for planted nano aquariums. Providing blue rasboras with appropriate tank mates, plenty of live plants, clean water, and a well-balanced diet will lead to success in keeping this captivating species.

FAQs

How long do blue rasboras live?

In ideal aquarium conditions, blue rasboras typically live for 5-7 years. With excellent care and maintenance, some have been reported to survive closer to 10 years.

What do blue rasboras eat?

Blue rasboras are omnivores that need both plant and animal matter. Offer a quality powdered or flake food as the staple diet, along with treats like brine shrimp, microworms, daphnia and mosquito larvae.

Are blue rasboras good for community tanks?

Yes, blue rasboras are very peaceful and make excellent community fish. They can be kept with a variety of small, non-aggressive tank mates including other small schooling fish, dwarf cichlids, invertebrates and bottom dwellers.

What pH do blue rasboras need?

Blue rasboras prefer soft, acidic water conditions. Aim for a pH between 6.0-7.0. Use peat, driftwood, leaves, or specialty substrates like ADA Aquasoil to naturally lower pH.

How often should you feed blue rasboras?

Feed blue rasboras once or twice per day in small amounts that they can fully consume within a few minutes. Vary their diet between dry foods and live/frozen foods for optimum nutrition.