Maximum size : 3.5 cm

Emerald Eye Rasbora - Brevibora dorsiocellata : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Emerald Eye Rasboras (Brevibora dorsiocellata) are a captivating and adaptable species of Rasbora that is perfect for any community aquarium. These Rasboras can thrive in a wide range of water chemistry conditions, making them compatible with the most popular aquarium species such as Tetras, Livebearers, Dwarf Cichlids, Catfish, and Loaches.

Emerald Eye Rasboras are known for their tight shoaling behaviour and timid nature, so keeping them in groups of 10 or more individuals is best. Larger groups not only create a more natural environment but also result in males displaying their best colours as they compete for female attention.

To create an ideal aquarium environment, it is essential to maintain good water quality. While the decor choice is not as crucial, Emerald Eye Rasboras look particularly stunning in a well-planted aquarium with a dark substrate. These fish thrive in natural-style setups, so providing them with a soft, sandy substrate, driftwood roots, and branches to form plenty of shady areas will create a comfortable environment for them. Adding dried leaf litter not only accentuates the natural feel but also offers additional cover for the fish.

To maintain the ideal conditions for these fish, reasonably dim lighting is preferred, which may limit the choice of aquatic plants. However, Taxiphyllum, Cryptocoryne, and Microsorum are known to thrive under such conditions.

Emerald Eye Rasboras are an elongated fish species with a pointed nose and a metallic silver base colour that reflects light. The fish can take on a yellowish hue with a slight pink blush in the central area of the body under certain lighting conditions. Furthermore, these fish sometimes display a thin olive gold-tinted parallel line from the operculum to the caudal peduncle, visible under reflected light conditions. All their fins, except for the dorsal fin, are hyaline.

Emerald Eye Rasbora Photos

Sexual Dimorphism

Determining the sex of Emerald Eye Rasboras can be pretty challenging, as male and female specimens are visually similar. Nevertheless, sexually mature females tend to be larger and exhibit a more prominent round belly than males. In addition, during the breeding season, males can develop a striking pinkish-red hue on their caudal fin, which is not present in females.

Quick Facts

Scientific Name	Brevibora dorsiocellata
Year Described	1904
Other Names	Eyespot Rasbora
Kingdom	Animalia
Classification	Actinopterygii
Order	Cypriniformes
Family	Cyprinidae
Genus	Brevibora
Origins	Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand
Max Size	3.5 cm
Temperament	Peaceful
Aquarium Level	Middle - Top
Difficulty	Beginner - Intermediate
Shoaling	Yes
Best kept as	Groups 10+
Diet & Feeding	Omnivore
Reproduction	Egg-Scatterer
Average Lifespan	Up to 6 Years

Water Parameters

Water Type	Freshwater
pH	6.0 - 7.5
GH	3 - 12
TDS	18 - 179

Ideal Temperature
℉	73 - 79
℃	22 - 26

Natural Habitat

Emerald Eye Rasboras are a beautiful and fascinating species native to Southeast Asia's islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and southern Thailand. These fish are found in gently flowing black water rivers and streams in the wild, often surrounded by old forest peat swamps. The water is typically soft, acidic, and stained brown due to decomposing organic matter, while the substrate is filled with fallen leaves, branches, and twigs. These dimly lit habitats are crucial for these fish, as they are often associated with the forest canopy above. Sadly, the biotopes these stunning fish call home are threatened due to palm oil plantations, building developments, and other human activities, making conservation efforts more important than ever.

Breeding

Emerald Eye Rasboras are constant spawners, and like many small Cyprinids, they do not exhibit any parental care. However, if they are well-fed and healthy, they will often spawn without much intervention. If you want to increase the yield of fry, you will need to set up a separate breeding tank. It is best to condition the adult group together in a heavily planted and established aquarium before moving them to the breeding tank. The breeding tank should be dimly lit with a bare bottom or covered with a mesh with large enough holes for eggs to fall through but small enough for the adults not to reach them. Plastic grass matting, pebbles, or marbles can also be used as an alternative.

The water in the breeding tank should be slightly acidic to neutral pH, and the temperature should be somewhat higher than the general aquarium. An internal power filter can be added initially and positioned to direct flow down the entire tank length. Once the females are noticeably full of eggs and the adult fish are well-conditioned, you can introduce one or two pairs to the breeding tank.

To encourage spawning, you can add small amounts of cooler water every few hours to gradually top off the tank and feed them live and frozen foods several times throughout the day. It is important to note that the adults will consume any eggs they find, so removing them after a couple of days would be best.

After removing the power filter, replace it with a sponge filter to prevent the baby fish from being sucked in. The incubation period is temperature-dependent, but it typically takes between 18 and 48 hours for the eggs to hatch. Once hatched, the young will become free-swimming around 24 to 48 hours later.

You can initially provide your fry with Paramecium or infusoria and then introduce baby brine shrimp and microworm once they are large enough to accept them.

Diet & Feeding

Emerald Eye Rasboras have a varied diet in the wild; replicating this in captivity is essential to maintain their optimal health and well-being. While they are not particularly demanding when it comes to food, a varied diet will undoubtedly enhance their vibrancy and activity levels. Along with dried foods such as flakes and granules, you should also provide them with live, frozen, or freeze-dried food such as bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp and daphnia. These foods will provide the necessary protein and other essential nutrients to keep your fish healthy and active. However, it is crucial to avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to health problems and compromised water quality.

Videos

Other Rasboras