Bony fish · Cypriniformes · Cyprinidae

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The harlequin rasbora, or simply the harlequin, is an egg-laying fish of the family Cyprinidae from South East Asia, hugely popular in the home aquarium for its resistance to disease, its good temperament and its attractive colours.

Size

3 cm – 5 cm

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

School

Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterOmnivore Diurnal In schools Fish Freshwater

13countries10same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt sticks its eggs to the undersides of water-plant leaves.
The pair turn upside down beneath the underside of a leaf to stick the eggs there, a posture that is unusual among cyprinids.
Its native waters are so acidic and so poor in minerals that most fish could not survive in them.
The destruction of South-East Asian peat swamps for plantations is the main threat to its wild populations.
It glues its eggs to the underside of broad leaves, instead of scattering them over the bottom as most cyprinids do.
In primary peat swamps it forms shoals of more than a hundred individuals.
In the trade it is often confused with two almost identical species of the same genus, T. hengeli and T. espei.