The Rasbora species deserves to be well-liked in the aquarist community for several good reasons.
Their gentle personalities, ease of maintenance, vibrant colors, and relatively tiny sizes explain their popularity.
These fish are good additions to your planted tank due to their stunning colors popping out against the green background.
If you consider introducing some to your aquarium, you may find it hard to choose between Lambchop Rasbora vs. Harlequin Rasbora.
What is the main difference between them? How to care for each variety? Let’s delve into this post to address all these concerns.
Contents
Lambchop Rasbora Overview
The Lambchop Rasbora is a relatively small, colorful species that is highly suitable for many beginner aquarists.
Their caudal fin, which has a lamb chop-like form and a black spot in the middle, caused the fish to get their name.
This species may reach an optimum size of two inches while having a typical body length of 1.5 inches.
This tropical blackwater species is most frequently observed in Cambodia’s southeast and Thailand’s southwest.
Among the more than 100 varieties of Rasbora, these creatures are outstanding due to the striking black stripes on their tail.
This variety of small and lively shoaling fish may be a great complement to any community tank.
These fishes not only provide a stunning sight to behold, but they’re also resilient creatures that need little maintenance.
These creatures typically live for three to five years on average.
Lambchop Rasbora
Harlequin Rasbora Overview
The schooling habit and brilliant colors of the Harlequin Rasbora make it a favorite among aquarists.
These fish are excellent options for small community tanks and are ideal for novice aquarists.
Harlequin Rasbora belongs to tropical freshwater Cyprinidae fish, which are common in Western Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Singapore, and southern Thailand.
Harlequin Rasboras can reach lengths of 1.75 – 2 inches. According to the place of origin, these fish come in various sizes and appearances.
For instance, Thai Harlequin Rasboras are frequently slimmer and smaller than their Singaporean counterparts.
This species’ lifespan ranges from 5 to 8 years on average.
Harlequin Rasbora
Lambchop Rasbora Vs Harlequin Rasbora: Care Guides
As you can see, the two species belong to the same family, so they are incredibly similar in many aspects.
If you consider the two species, here are some factors you should keep in mind:
Tank Size
The Rasboras’ minimum tank capacity is about 10 gallons. These species do not require much space due to their tiny size.
This tank size is ideal if you’re only maintaining a handful of Rasboras. Remember, it’s a school of fish!
As a general rule, you should keep two fish per gallon of tank capacity. However, if you have enough space and budget, you can opt for larger aquariums.
Your pets will have lots of space to move around and relax in larger tanks, 20 – 30 gallons or more.
Water Parameters
It’s not necessary to imitate the gloominess of the Rasboras’ native habitat while preparing the aquarium for them.
However, you must maintain the appropriate water parameters. Below are a few guidelines you should follow:
- Water temperature: 72°F – 80°F
- Water hardness: 2 – 15 KH
- pH level: 6.0 – 7.8
Most importantly, you must maintain the tank’s consistency by regularly testing the water to ensure your Rasboras’ health.
Diet
The Harlequin Rasbora and Lambchop Rasbora are omnivores that thrive on a well-balanced diet of plants and meat-based products.
You can feed them fresh and frozen bloodworms, Artemia, Daphnia, insect larvae, brine shrimp, zucchini, kale, or lettuce.
Besides, they can consume dried pellets and flakes in captivity, but these shouldn’t be their only food source.
It’s also best to provide food for your pets several times with small meal portions during the day.
After three minutes, serve what your pets can consume and remove any leftover stuff.
Tank Mates
Before considering tank mates for your pets, you should ensure they are well-stocked with their species.
It’s best to keep 8-10 fish in a tank. Some fish keepers have had success housing smaller teams or pairs.
Pay attention to the tank size. Ensure your fish have enough space to swim around. If possible, it’s better to opt for small and peaceful species before adding them to this community tank.
Here are some tank mates for these Rasboras to consider:
- Neon Tetras
- Cherry Barbs
- Dwarf Gouramis
- Danios
- Cory Catfish
- Apistogramma
- Honey Gourami
- Mollies
- Bolivian Ram
- Kuhli Loach
Breeding
Breeding these fish might be a challenge. To start the procedure, they need ideal conditions.
It’s best to apply the controlled method, which requires a small separate tank.
The water temperature should be between 77°F to 83°F. The optimal pH levels are between 5.90 to 6.0. If you want to learn more about tips for breeding these species, you can watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_yftKZVdV8
FAQs
How Big Do Lambchop Rasboras Get?
This species may achieve an optimal size of 2 inches with a typical body length of 1.5 inches.
Are Lambchop Rasboras Easy To Breed?
Breeding this species can be challenging. To reproduce, it needs soft to incredibly soft acidic waters.
How Long Do Lambchop Rasboras Live?
These creatures typically live between 3 and 5 years on average.
How Big Do Harlequin Rasboras Get?
The body size of these fish varies depending on their origin. In general, they may reach a length of 1.75 to 2 inches.
How Many Harlequin Rasboras Can I Put In A 10 Gallon Tank?
These fish are fast-moving, peaceful, and active. They can perform well in a group of at least 10.
Wrapping Up
Lambchop Rasbora and Harlequin Rasbora are small, friendly, and stunning creatures to add to any tank.
They are all members of the Cyprinidae family, so they require the same environment and care.
Hopefully, this article will be helpful for you. If you have further questions, please comment below.
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