Greater Scissortail

About

The greater scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) is one of the more substantial members of its genus, growing to a respectable size that demands both space and appropriately bold tankmates. The common name. Shared with its smaller relative R. trilineata. Comes from a distinctive habit of twitching the forked tail while the fish hovers at rest, almost like a pair of scissors opening and closing. Distinguishing the two species is straightforward if you know what to look for: the greater scissortail carries orange-red pigment in the caudal fin along with black-tipped lobes and a faint dark reticulation along the scale edges. In the wild it occupies shaded forest streams across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the lower Mekong basin, typically near the surface and often over sandy bottoms. It is a fast, active schooling fish, and keeping a group of at least six brings out noticeably better color and calmer behavior across the whole group. Its peaceful temperament suits a spacious community, though its size and energy level mean shy or slow-moving companions can find it stressful to live with. Sturdier cyprinids, loaches, and larger characins tend to make the best neighbors. With a lifespan that can reach a decade, this is a fish worth investing proper thought into housing well.