Emerald rasbora

The Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Danio erythromicron) is a tiny, vividly patterned freshwater fish native to Lake Inle in Myanmar. Growing to a maximum of just 2 cm (0.8 inches), it is a perfect “nano” fish. It features a series of vertical emerald-green/blue bars along its sides, reddish-orange fins, and a distinct black spot at the base of its tail. While beautiful, they are known to be quite shy and thrive best in heavily planted tanks where they feel secure enough to come out and display their colors. Now Out of stock

Category: Fishes

Description

1. Origin & Taxonomy

Scientific Name: Danio erythromicron.
Classification: Formerly classified as a “Microrasbora,” DNA testing revealed it is actually a Danio.
Origin: Endemic to Lake Inle, Myanmar (Burma).
Habitat: In the wild, they live in dense vegetation along the lake margins.
Relation: They are very closely related to the Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD). In fact, the two species can hybridize (though this is discouraged in the hobby).

2. Appearance

Pattern: They have a peachy-pink body overlaid with 10–15 vertical emerald-blue bars, giving them a “tiger-like” appearance.
The Spot: A defining feature is the black spot surrounded by gold at the base of the tail. This acts as a “false eye” to confuse predators.
Fins: They have reddish-orange tints on their fins and gill covers.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males are more intensely colored and slimmer; females are duller in color and have rounder bellies.

3. Temperament & Behavior

Shyness: Unlike the bold Tetras you shared earlier, Emerald Dwarf Rasboras are shy and skittish. If kept in a bare tank, they will hide constantly and lose their color.
Social Structure: They are shoaling fish, not tight schoolers. They need a group of at least 6 to 10 to feel safe. Males will frequently “spar” or dance with each other to establish dominance, which is fascinating to watch.
Tank Mates: Keep them with other tiny, peaceful fish like Celestial Pearl Danios, Chili Rasboras, or shrimp. Large or boisterous fish will bully them into hiding.

4. Aquarium Care

Tank Size: A standard 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a colony.
Water Parameters (Important): Unlike Amazonian fish (like Neon Tetras) that like soft/acidic water, Lake Inle has hard, alkaline water.
- pH: 7.0 – 8.0.
- Temperature: 20°C – 24°C (68°F – 75°F). They prefer cooler tropical water.
Decor: They require a heavily planted tank. Surprisingly, the more hiding spots you provide (moss, stem plants), the more you will see them, as they feel safe enough to explore.

5. Diet

Micro-predators: They have tiny mouths.
Food: They can be picky eaters at first. They love live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and Grindal worms. They will eventually accept crushed high-quality flakes or micro-pellets.

6. Breeding

Type: Egg scatterers.
Process: They spawn almost daily in mature, planted tanks. They scatter adhesive eggs among plants (especially Java Moss). However, they will eat their own eggs and fry if given the chance.