Cherryspot Rasbora

About

Found in the slow-moving waters, roadside ditches, and shallow ponds of the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Mae Klong river systems, Rasbora rubrodorsalis is a small but characterful cyprinid that rarely exceeds an inch and a quarter in length. Its most useful identification feature is the bright red blotch in the dorsal fin. This immediately separates it from the closely related and visually similar R. borapetensis, which carries red coloration only at the base of the tail fin and has a plain dorsal. Despite sharing parts of its natural range with that species, R. rubrodorsalis is considerably less common in the hobby and is sometimes sold under the incorrect name R. beauforti, a label that has a long and tangled taxonomic history attached to it. In the aquarium, this is a genuinely peaceful fish that suits a well-planted community setup. Because it imposes no unusual water chemistry demands, it pairs naturally with many popular species from mainland Southeast Asia. Thai Betta, Trigonostigma, Pangio, and Badis species all make compatible tankmates. Like most small rasboras, it really needs to be kept in groups of at least eight to ten individuals; adequate numbers reduce skittishness and encourage males to display their best colors while competing for females. A forgiving choice for newer keepers who want a lively, small-bodied shoal.