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Elegant rasbora (Rasbora elegans) — Cyprinidae

Elegant rasbora

Rasbora elegans
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Elegant rasbora (Rasbora elegans) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The elegant rasbora is a cyprinid from fresh water of Southeast Asia, in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a slender, silvery to golden-brown body with a few dark blotches on the flank and tail base. It schools actively in clear forest streams, rivers and swamps and feeds on insects, small zooplankton and plant matter. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant rasbora?

The Elegant rasbora has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Elegant rasbora live?

The Elegant rasbora lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Elegant rasbora get?

The Elegant rasbora grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Elegant rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant rasbora is harmless to humans.

Is the Elegant rasbora edible?

The Elegant rasbora is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke rasbora verified
English name
Elegant rasbora verified
Scientific name
Rasbora elegans
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Elegant rasbora; Twospot rasbora; Two-spot rasbora verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Rasbora

More from the family Cyprinidae

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