Asian Rummynose Rasbora - Sawbwa resplendens

Asian Rummynose Rasbora (Sawbwa resplendens)

The Asian Rummynose Rasbora, Sawbwa resplendens, is a rare and distinctive Myanmar nano fish with a shimmering silvery-blue body, bright red snout and red tail tips in mature males. Also known as the Burmese Rummynose, Sawbwa Barb, Naked Microrasbora or Asian Rummy Nose, this unusual cyprinid is not a true tetra and should not be kept like a soft-water South American rummynose. It is best suited to mature planted aquariums with stable, harder alkaline water, peaceful tank mates and a proper shoal.

Common Name:
Asian Rummynose Rasbora, Burmese Rummynose, Asian Rummy Nose, Sawbwa Barb, Naked Microrasbora.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Sawbwa resplendens

Maximum Size:
Usually around 3.5–4 cm.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Endemic to the Lake Inle basin in Shan State, Myanmar. In the wild, it occurs in Lake Inle and surrounding swamps, often in large shoals among dense vegetation. Its natural waters are generally clear to peaty but mineral-rich and alkaline, so it is not a soft acidic blackwater rasbora.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–24°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness or Salinity: Moderately hard to hard freshwater preferred; avoid very soft, acidic conditions and sudden swings.

Temperament:
Peaceful but active and slightly specialist. Asian Rummynose are best kept in a group, where males can display naturally and any chasing is spread through the shoal. They are not aggressive, but they can be nervous if kept in small numbers or mixed with large, boisterous fish.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. Offer fine flakes, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, small bloodworm and other tiny foods. Small live or frozen foods are especially useful for conditioning and bringing out male colour. Their mouths are small, so food size is important.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal. Stable water quality and swimming space are more important than keeping them in the smallest possible nano tank.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that looks best in groups of at least 8–10, with larger groups preferred. Mature males develop the brightest blue-silver body colour, red snout and red tail markings, while females are usually duller and more translucent. In planted aquariums, males may display to one another and the group will move confidently through open areas and around vegetation.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful fish that enjoy similar cooler, harder and alkaline conditions, such as Celestial Pearl Danios, Emerald Dwarf Rasboras, small peaceful danios, Inle Lake loaches, small livebearers suited to harder water, snails and calm shrimp with caution. Avoid soft-water specialists, aggressive fish, large predators, fin-nippers and warm tropical communities kept constantly above its preferred range.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Do not treat this species as a typical soft-water rasbora. It needs stable, clean, mineral-rich water and does poorly with acidic conditions or rapid parameter changes. Provide a mature planted aquarium with open swimming space, fine-leaved plants, floating cover if desired and gentle to moderate filtration. A secure lid is recommended, as small active shoaling fish can jump. This species has a restricted natural range, so captive-bred stock is especially desirable where available.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Specialist import or captive-bred where relevant

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.