Clown Rasbora Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Clown Rasbora is a striking, deep-bodied rasbora with a warm golden, orange or reddish-brown base colour and bold black markings along the sides. Its pattern varies between populations, but the dark lateral patches and flashes of red make this one of the more dramatic members of the rasbora group.

Unlike many small, slender rasboras, Clown Rasboras have a relatively substantial body and can reach around 10 cm in length. Their translucent fins may show yellow, orange or reddish tones, while mature fish often develop richer colouration when relaxed and in good condition.

These fish are active but generally peaceful, spending much of their time moving through the middle levels of the aquarium. They are social shoalers, and their colours and natural behaviour are most impressive when several individuals swim together rather than being kept singly or in pairs.

In the wild, Clown Rasboras are associated with shaded waterways surrounded by dense vegetation and leaf litter. Their natural blackwater environment is often dim, gently flowing and stained by tannins released from decaying leaves and wood.

Rasbora kalochroma has a more robust appearance than many commonly kept rasboras, making it an appealing choice for aquarists who want a peaceful Southeast Asian shoaling fish with unusual markings and a larger adult presence.

Clown Rasboras are native to Southeast Asia, including the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They inhabit slow-moving forest streams, peat swamps and blackwater habitats, where fallen leaves and tannins often make the water soft, acidic and tea-coloured.

A group of Clown Rasboras should have at least 120 litres, with a tank measuring roughly 90 cm long by 40 cm wide or larger to provide useful swimming space. Use a soft sand or fine-gravel substrate, driftwood, leaf litter and dense planting around the sides and rear, while leaving an open area for shoaling. Floating plants, subdued lighting and gentle filtration help recreate the shaded, slow-moving blackwater conditions they favour. A secure lid is advisable because active rasboras may jump.

Up to 10 cm (4 in) in total length. Females are usually slightly larger and noticeably deeper-bodied than males.

Clown Rasboras are omnivores that benefit from a varied diet. Offer a quality small pellet or flake as a staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Vegetable ingredients can be included occasionally, although regular high-protein foods help maintain their body condition and colour.

Clown Rasboras are peaceful community fish and can be kept with similarly calm species such as harlequin rasboras, larger peaceful tetras, small barbs, kuhli loaches, peaceful Corydoras and gentle gouramis. Avoid aggressive or highly boisterous tankmates, fin-nippers and large predatory fish. They may eat very small fry or tiny ornamental shrimp, especially in a densely populated community aquarium.

Clown Rasboras are egg-scattering fish that breed most readily in mature, soft, acidic water with subdued lighting and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Condition the adults with plenty of live or frozen foods, then introduce a well-fed pair or small group. They scatter adhesive eggs among vegetation, and the adults should be removed after spawning because they may eat the eggs. Hatching usually occurs within 24 to 36 hours, with free-swimming fry taking very small foods such as infusoria before progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Females are generally fuller through the abdomen and deeper-bodied, particularly when carrying eggs. Males tend to be slimmer and may display stronger red or orange colouration, especially during courtship.