New Microrasbora Species

[mikev]

Looks rather pretty:

It seems to be available by mail in the US, from Frank's Aquarium.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

really nice looking fish!

 

[Lateral Line]

Looks like a Danio. That long based dorsal just doesn't say Rasbora to me at all.

The name is just a "by association", this news story is vague. 12-15mm is going to make them awkward, to say the least.

 

[mikev]

Looks like a Danio. That long based dorsal just doesn't say Rasbora to me at all.

The name is just a "by association", this news story is vague. 12-15mm is going to make them awkward, to say the least.

Hmmm... what do you think?

This actually makes a huge difference for me. If it is similar to D. choprai, it is something I can put into a rivertank, in fact with Danios and Hillstreams. If it is a current-intolerant fish, I cannot have it.

I do wonder if it can be bred too...

 

[Lateral Line]

I've, (obviously!), never seen one, and that picture is the same one that is on all the sites I've seen. Each has just a very vague designation. The thing is, the fish in the picture appears to have a long based dorsal, with a lot of rays. Rasbora's just aren't like that. The discoverer notes it's similarity to Microrasbora erythromicron, but look at a picture of those, and at the dorsal fin in particular, it just doesn't work for me. The broadish roundish fins say "Danio". I have to admit to a suspicion that M. erythromicron may not be correctly named, but that is another story.

At the moment of course, it is all conjecture, until you have a specimen in front of you, or at least an uncluttered detailed enough picture, it is not easy to say.

 

[mikev]

I'll probably visit the place which has them next weekend. If so, I'll have better pictures.

The thing that most interests me is if they can stand (or maybe even like) strong current.
The body shape is somewhat streamish....

 

[ExoticStripes]

Wow very nice fish

 

[three-fingers]

I'll probably visit the place which has them next weekend. If so, I'll have better pictures.

The thing that most interests me is if they can stand (or maybe even like) strong current.
The body shape is somewhat streamish....

Cool, cant wait to see more of them . If i'm allowed to set up the 5.5uk gal cube that i may be getting soon, i think a shoal of 5-6 of these would look very nice .

 

[frankmgreco]

The discoverer notes it's similarity to Microrasbora erythromicron, but look at a picture of those, and at the dorsal fin in particular, it just doesn't work for me. The broadish roundish fins say "Danio". I have to admit to a suspicion that M. erythromicron may not be correctly named, but that is another story.

I have put them side by side (see pic at My Webpage), and the two do look similar in body shape. Note the "hump" (for lack of a better term) at the dorsal, the orange markings on the caudal fin just after the caudal peduncle, and the orange in the anal fin. Note also that you can see the gills through the operculum.

As to the dorsal rays, a quick look at the pic seems to show that the dorsal rays are the same in number. A quick look at the pic at Galaxy makes it look like the dorsals are similar in appearence.

Frank

 

[three-fingers]

Yeah, now that i've seen those pictures, it looks like a microrasbora to me .
Really good pics .

 

[Bloo]

Here are a couple of pics from someone who has some on another website I frequent (am I allowed to say that ?! ). Photo credit obviously goes to amiidae.
They look like gorgeous little fish indeed

 

[frankmgreco]

Yeah, now that i've seen those pictures, it looks like a microrasbora to me .
Really good pics .

Thanks!

I am also noting that they appear to be less aggressive towards conspecifics than are Microrasbora erythromicron which, IME with them, tend to be nippy towards each other. Whether this is because they are in a holding tank and not in a planted tank remains to be seen.

 

[three-fingers]

Good find bloo! The more i look at them, the prettier they look each time

Thanks!

I am also noting that they appear to be less aggressive towards conspecifics than are Microrasbora erythromicron which, IME with them, tend to be nippy towards each other. Whether this is because they are in a holding tank and not in a planted tank remains to be seen.

Cool. Its interesting to see a comparison because if i get that 5.5gal, m.erythromicron is probably going to be easier to get up here and cheaper, but these new guys look prettier.

 

[Lateral Line]

I am also noting that they appear to be less aggressive towards conspecifics than are Microrasbora erythromicron which, IME with them, tend to be nippy towards each other.

This is another reason I doubt M. erythromicron is a Rasbora, Rasboras are not nippy.

The newer pictures certainly show a more marked similarity between the body form of Galaxy and M. erythromicron. Both, however, lack the "sprightly" look of Rasboras, and more like the "hung" somewhat tired look of a quiet Danio. The finnage still does not say "Rasbora" to me, for both species, it is much closer to Danio.

At the end of the day, until they have been properly classified, it's all guess work. I suspect "proper" classification will wait until it is genetically done.

 

[colinco]

If anyone is interested I have about 200 of these available for £3.50 each in Maidenhead Aquatics @ Osterley.

Been in stock for about 3 weeks now, currently housed on our softwater system and eagerly accepting powdered flake and baby brineshrimp.

Hope that helps anyone who's trying to track them down.