Red Line Rasbora - Rasbora pauciperforata

Red Line Rasbora (Trigonopoma pauciperforatum)

The Red Line Rasbora is a graceful and delicate freshwater shoaling fish admired for its slender body, glowing lateral stripe and peaceful nature. Also known as the Redstripe Rasbora, Glowlight Rasbora or Red-lined Rasbora, this species is best suited to mature, peaceful aquariums with soft lighting, plant cover and stable water conditions. It is an excellent choice for calm community setups, especially where it can be kept in a proper group.

Common Name:
Red Line Rasbora, Redstripe Rasbora, Glowlight Rasbora, Red-lined Rasbora

Scientific Name (Latin):
Trigonopoma pauciperforatum

Older / Trade Name:
Rasbora pauciperforata

Maximum Size:
Approximately 5–6 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Line Rasbora is found in Southeast Asia, where it is associated with slow-moving forest streams, peat-influenced waters, shaded margins and planted or root-filled habitats.

In the wild, it often occurs in calm, acidic to neutral waters with leaf litter, submerged roots, marginal vegetation and subdued lighting.

A mature aquarium with plants, floating cover, driftwood and darker areas will help recreate the sheltered conditions this species prefers.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 5.5–7.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Peaceful

Red Line Rasboras are peaceful shoaling fish and should be kept with calm tankmates that will not bully or outcompete them.

They are best kept in groups, where they become more confident, display better colour and show more natural midwater swimming behaviour.

Diet:
Omnivore / Micro-predator

The Red Line Rasbora naturally feeds on tiny insects, small invertebrates, zooplankton and fine food particles.

Offer high-quality micro pellets, fine tropical flakes and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm.

Small frequent feeds are ideal, as this species has a small mouth and does best with appropriately sized foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 60 litres for a small group

A longer aquarium is preferred over a very tall tank, as this species appreciates open midwater swimming space.

Larger planted aquariums are recommended for bigger groups or mixed peaceful communities.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Red Line Rasbora spends much of its time swimming calmly in the middle and upper areas of the aquarium.

A group will often move together through open areas before retreating among plants or shaded cover when startled.

The lateral stripe can appear orange, red or golden depending on lighting, condition, diet and mood.

Community Suitability:
Peaceful Community Fish

The Red Line Rasbora is ideal for peaceful planted community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, dwarf pencilfish, small corydoras, kuhli loaches, otocinclus, small peaceful gouramis with care and dwarf shrimp where breeding is not the priority.

Avoid large or aggressive fish, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, predatory species and any fish large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep this species in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more strongly recommended where space allows.

A mature planted aquarium with stable water quality, gentle flow and shaded areas will help reduce stress and encourage natural colour.

Avoid bright, bare aquariums, unstable new setups and aggressive tankmates.

This species can be sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry, so regular small water changes are better than large unstable changes.

Floating plants, leaf litter, driftwood and darker substrate can help the fish feel secure and show stronger colour.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season and supplier.

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.