Fish
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Origin: The emerald dwarf rasbora is endemic to Lake Inle and nearby waters in Myanmar. It inhabits shallows with dense vegetation, clean and moderately cool water.
Also known as: Emerald dwarf danio, Danio erythromicron, Microrasbora erythromicron
Fact sheet
- Size
- 3 cm
- Lifespan
- 4 years
- Minimum tank size
- 40 L
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness GH
- 5–15 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 8+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The emerald dwarf rasbora is a charming nano fish with a rounded body covered in many fine emerald-blue vertical bars on a pinkish-gold ground. Despite the 'microrasbora' name it is taxonomically a dwarf danio. It is a peaceful schooling fish for nano aquariums, kept in a tight group. Males are brighter and constantly display to one another in a shoal. It likes clean, slightly cool water and dense vegetation. An excellent choice for small planted tanks.
Appearance
The body is stocky and rounded, up to 3 cm long. The ground is pinkish-gold with many fine emerald-blue vertical bars along the flanks; a dark spot marks the tail base. Males are brighter with reddish fins; females are paler and fuller. It resembles a miniature striped zebra danio with vertical bars.
Care
A tank of at least 40 L, densely planted, with calm water. Temperature 20–26 °C (it likes it cool), pH 6.5–7.5, hardness GH 5–15. Clean water, gentle flow, and regular water changes are needed. Dark substrate and plants bring out the colour.
Feeding
An omnivore with a small mouth. It takes small flakes and micro-pellets and live or frozen cyclops, brine shrimp nauplii, micro-worm, and fine daphnia. Feed once or twice daily in small portions.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling fish. Ideal for nano tanks with small rasboras, other microrasboras, dwarf tetras, corydoras, and shrimp. Large or aggressive tankmates are unsuitable. Keep in groups of 8–10 or more.
Breeding
An egg-layer. In a planted tank it scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and moss. Remove the adults or let some fry survive in the thickets. First foods are infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii.
Fun facts
Despite the trade name 'microrasbora', the species belongs to Danio and is close to the zebra danio. It is endemic to Lake Inle in Myanmar, home to other unique fish. The many fine vertical bars make it resemble a miniature zebra.