The Glowlight Rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) is a peaceful, schooling fish that is perfect for the beginner aquarium.
This little gem is incredibly easy to care for and is tolerant of a wide range of water conditions.
The Glowlight Rasbora is also known as the Hengel’s Rasbora, Redfin Rasbora, and Harlequin Rasbora. No matter what you call them, these fish are sure to add some brilliance and color to your aquarium!
Table of contents
Species overview
Glowlight rasboras (trigonostigma hengeli) come from all over Southeast Asia but are most commonly found in Malaysia and Thailand.
They prefer areas of slow-moving water with a lot of plants and vegetation. This is something that is fairly common among many types of freshwater fish, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.
Glowlight rasboras are very peaceful fish and get along well with most other tank mates. They are a popular choice for community aquariums because of this.
The most notable feature of the glowlight rasbora is, of course, the bright red stripe that runs along its body. This makes it a very popular choice for those looking to add some color to their freshwater tank.
Appearance
The Glowlight rasbora is a small and colorful fish that’s perfect for any freshwater aquarium. As the name suggests, these fish have a beautiful glow about them that’s very hard to miss.
This glow is actually caused by a reflective layer of cells that cover their entire body. This is what gives them their distinct appearance and makes them so special.
The body of the Glowlight rasbora is long, thin, and slightly curved. This shape gives them a lot of speed and maneuverability in the water.
Their fins are all fairly standard for a small freshwater fish. They have a moderately sized dorsal fin that’s slightly taller than their anal fin. Both of these fins are shorter than their caudal fin.
The caudal fin of the Glowlight rasbora is forked and very symmetrical. This fin is what gives them their exceptional swimming abilities.
Glowlight rasboras are a very peaceful fish that does well in a community tank. They’re not known to be aggressive or nippy in any way.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Glowlight rasbora is 3 to 5 years. As with most fish, there are a number of factors that impact their life expectancy.
One of the biggest is the level of care they receive. If they’re in a suboptimal environment with poor water quality, they likely won’t live as long as they would in a well-maintained tank.
Other things that can impact their lifespan include stress from bad tank mates, or a suboptimal diet.
Size
The maximum size of a Glowlight Rasbora is about 2 inches in length when fully grown.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended minimum tank size for glowlight rasboras is 10 gallons. This is assuming you’re keeping them in a school of at least 5 or 6 fish (which you should).
We personally recommend a slightly larger tank if you can accommodate it. Every extra space will make a big difference and allow you to keep a larger school or more tank mates if you’re interested in a community tank.
Water Parameters
The glowlight rasbora is a delicate fish that needs pristine water conditions to stay healthy in captivity. These fish come from slow-moving streams and rivers in Southeast Asia.
They’re not well-suited to handle the pollution and poor water quality often found in these habitats. In the wild, they’re constantly exposed to parasites and disease.
In the home aquarium, you can provide a much more stable environment. That starts with maintaining the proper water parameters.
Glowlight rasboras are best kept in a well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots. A group of 6 or more fish is ideal. They’re shy fish that need the security of numbers to feel comfortable.
The following water parameters will help you create a healthy environment for your glowlight rasboras.
- Water temperature: 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.0 to 7.0
- Water hardness: 5 to 20 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 2-12 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to the inside of their tank, we recommend sticking to some classic freshwater aquarium choices.
Glowlight Rasboras aren’t too picky when it comes to plants. They will nibble on some soft-leaved species (like Java Fern), but they usually leave most things alone.
You can include a wide variety of plants in their habitat without too much worry. Just be sure to do your research to find something that will do well in the same water conditions that your fish need.
For the substrate, a classic gravel is always a good choice. You could also go with something like sand if you wanted. Just avoid anything too big or sharp since these fish like to dig around a bit.
As for other decorations, feel free to get creative. Driftwood, caves, and rocks are all suitable options. Just be sure that anything you add is securely in place. These fish are known to dig and could uproot things if they’re not careful.
Common Diseases
The Glowlight Rasbora is a hardy freshwater fish that doesn’t often get sick. However, like all fish, they are susceptible to disease if they’re kept in poor water conditions or if they’re stressed.
The most common disease that these fish experience is ich. This is a parasitic infection that will present itself as white spots on the body of your fish.
If left untreated, ich can be fatal. However, it’s relatively easy to treat if you catch it early.
The best way to prevent your Glowlight Rasbora from getting sick is to maintain a clean and stable tank. These fish are rather resilient, but they still need good water quality to stay healthy.
Behavior & Temperament
The Glowlight Rasbora (Rasbora daniconius) is a peaceful and social fish that does best in groups. In the wild, they can be found in large schools of hundreds of fish. So, when keeping them in captivity, it’s best to have at least six of them. This will allow them to feel more comfortable and less stressed.
The Glowlight Rasbora is a shy fish that likes to stay hidden among plants and other aquarium décor. So, be sure to provide them with plenty of places to hide. They’re also a peaceful fish that gets along with most other fish. However, they may be bullied by larger or more aggressive fish.
Glowlight Rasboras are active fish that enjoy swimming around the tank. They’re not fin nippers and they won’t bother other fish. In fact, they’re so peaceful that they’re often used as “dither fish” to help shy fish feel more comfortable in their environment.
Tank Mates
Glowlight Rasboras tend to do well with a wide variety of tank mates. These fish are peaceful by nature and won’t bother other fish in the tank.
They’re also small enough that they won’t get eaten by larger fish. In terms of water conditions, Glowlight Rasboras prefer slightly acidic to neutral water.
This is common in many aquariums since it’s the natural state of most groundwater.
Here are some compatible tank mates to consider:
- Tetras
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Corydoras Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Ghost Shrimp
- Cherry Shrimp
Breeding
The breeding process for Glowlight Rasboras is pretty similar to that of the Rosy Red Minnow. The biggest difference is that you need to make sure the tank is well-planted.
Glowlight Rasboras like to lay their eggs in plant beds. So, if you don’t have enough plants, they may not lay as many eggs.
Other than that, the process is the same. Aim for a water temperature on the higher end of their range and make sure the tank is well-filtered.
As the fry grow, you can start to supplement their diet with live foods and flake food.
Conclusion
All in all, we think the Glowlight Rasbora is a great fish for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. They’re relatively easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to any freshwater community tank.
If you’re looking for a peaceful and hardy fish, the Glowlight Rasbora is a great option.
