Help me choose rasboras

[sharkweek178]

I have a 29 gallon with a honey gourami and pygmy corydoras. I had neon tetras but they have died off due to NTD. I want to replace them with a rasbora species.
I want something that visually contrasts with the honey gourami. I also need them to be true rasboras. Galaxy rasbora and emerald dwarf rasbora are actually danios. So they're out.

Here are some that I'm considering with the misgivings I might have with them.

Purple harlequin rasbora. Since they also like the upper part of the tank, I'm a little concerned that they might bump into the honey's territory. (He likes the upper back left corner).
Chili rasbora or green kubotai rasbora. I'm a little worried they might be too shy and still hide all the time.
Rummynose rasbora. I read that the makes spar a lot. So I'm worried that their behavior might be a little rambunctious for the honey.

So any insights on these species and their compatibility with a honey gourami would be appreciated.

 

[MattW]

I vote for Rummynose as they are my favorite fish. If you do get them get as many females as possible. Sparring will always happen anyway but a higher female to male ratio will reduce the chances of any possible major injury or death. I learned that the hard way in my old tank, 2 females 5 males turned into 1 female 3 males within a month. Also, a lot of broad leaf floating plants help especially if you want to breed them. As for keeping them with a honey gourami, I've done that too. Had a male and female pair which was fine for a week.. until they bred and the top 1/3 of the tank became male gourami only territory. The Rummynose did get a few torn fins which is why the male went straight back to the store. Afterwards, I never had any issues with aggression, bearing in mind that it was just a female honey gourami in a heavily planted tank with a small school of rummynose. Thinking about it now perhaps a different species may be a better idea

 

[sharkweek178]

I vote for Rummynose as they are my favorite fish. If you do get them get as many females as possible. Sparring will always happen anyway but a higher female to male ratio will reduce the chances of any possible major injury or death. I learned that the hard way in my old tank, 2 females 5 males turned into 1 female 3 males within a month. Also, a lot of broad leaf floating plants help especially if you want to breed them. As for keeping them with a honey gourami, I've done that too. Had a male and female pair which was fine for a week.. until they bred and the top 1/3 of the tank became male gourami only territory. The Rummynose did get a few torn fins which is why the male went straight back to the store. Afterwards, I never had any issues with aggression, bearing in mind that it was just a female honey gourami in a heavily planted tank with a small school of rummynose. Thinking about it now perhaps a different species may be a better idea

I just have one male honey gourami.

 

[CassCats]

Kubotai aren't true rasbora either, they're microdevario, a little closer to danios.

I'm a big fan of rasbora sarawakensis if you can get them. Sarawak rasbora is the common name.

They got some sass and high activity level, but should be relatively peaceful with honey gourami.

Mine at food time (frozen brine shrimp cube)

 

[Colin_T]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website (Water Analysis Report) or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

 

[GaryE]

'rummynose' rasbora lose their colour in softwater. They're oddballs in the group, as hard water fish. They aren't Rasbora, but Sawbwa.
harlequins aren't Rasbora, but Trigonostigma.
Dwarfs are not Rasbora, but rather Bororas.

There's a pattern showing here!

My harlequins were always lower half fish, if they had their beloved Cryptocorynes. They like to be able to duck under overhanging leaves. They would be my choice. I bred honeys and had a lot of them, so they ended up in a few set ups, including one where they were fine with harlequins.

All your current fish like soft water, as do all but Sawbwa.

 

[sharkweek178]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website (Water Analysis Report) or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

Standard 29 gallon 30 x 12 x 18
136 ppm, 8 GH. 7.2 pH.

I would have loved to get blue axelrodi rasbora but my pH is too high for them to do very well in it.

 

[sharkweek178]

Kubotai aren't true rasbora either, they're microdevario, a little closer to danios.

I'm a big fan of rasbora sarawakensis if you can get them. Sarawak rasbora is the common name.


View attachment 349311View attachment 349312

They got some sass and high activity level, but should be relatively peaceful with honey gourami.

Mine at food time (frozen brine shrimp cube)

Beautiful fish and one that I would like to have some day. But their coloration is a little too close to the honey. I'd like a little more of a contrast.

 

[CassCats]

Then if you don't mind that they're not true rasboras, kubotai are fantastic

 

[sharkweek178]

'rummynose' rasbora lose their colour in softwater. They're oddballs in the group, as hard water fish. They aren't Rasbora, but Sawbwa.
harlequins aren't Rasbora, but Trigonostigma.
Dwarfs are not Rasbora, but rather Bororas.

There's a pattern showing here!

My harlequins were always lower half fish, if they had their beloved Cryptocorynes. They like to be able to duck under overhanging leaves. They would be my choice. I bred honeys and had a lot of them, so they ended up in a few set ups, including one where they were fine with harlequins.

All your current fish like soft water, as do all but Sawbwa.

I'm pretty certain that I know the answer to this. If I mix some purple harlequin rasbora with some reds and maybe some blacks, would they school together?
I'm pretty sure the answer is yes since they're still the same species.

 

[Fishfunn]

I like both the Chili and Galaxy versions.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I'd knock S. resplendens off the list, since they need hard water (I'm assuming, based on your other fish, that yours is fairly soft). Out of the ones you listed, I'd go with harlequins. They're peaceful but not shy if you get a decent sized group (8 or more; 15 is better). Mine always hung out in the middle of my 55g, just below the pearl gourami zone, so you'll be OK there. But I wouldn't get get the purple ones; the natural colored ones are so much nicer.

 

[sharkweek178]

I'd knock S. resplendens off the list, since they need hard water (I'm assuming, based on your other fish, that yours is fairly soft). Out of the ones you listed, I'd go with harlequins. They're peaceful but not shy if you get a decent sized group (8 or more; 15 is better). Mine always hung out in the middle of my 55g, just below the pearl gourami zone, so you'll be OK there. But I wouldn't get get the purple ones; the natural colored ones are so much nicer.

Can you clarify "nicer"? Do you mean behavior or appearance?

 

[CassCats]

Can you clarify "nicer"? Do you mean behavior or appearance?

Assuming nicer appearance, most will prefer the natural looks.

I've got the purple harlies. Only a few left, but I do like them. But the original red coloration is very nice. They don't really age nice though, they tend to fade to a dingy color.

Mine when they were at their prime

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Can you clarify "nicer"? Do you mean behavior or appearance?

Oh, I mean appearance. Just my opinion; get the purples if they make you happy. I'm sure their behavior is about the same.