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Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) — Cyprinidae

Porthole rasbora

Rasbora cephalotaenia
Family: Cyprinidae

The Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

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Description

The Porthole rasbora is a rasbora, a small cyprinid (Danionidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, silvery body. A row of dark spots like portholes runs over the flank. As a lively schooling fish it swims in clear streams, rivers and blackwater and eats small insects, larvae and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Porthole rasbora?

The Porthole rasbora has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Porthole rasbora live?

The Porthole rasbora lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

How big does the Porthole rasbora get?

The Porthole rasbora grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Porthole rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Porthole rasbora is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sharkdevotee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — CheongWeei Gan (CC BY 4.0)
Porthole rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Muhammad Iqbal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Porthole rasbora sourced
Scientific name
Rasbora cephalotaenia
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Rasbora

More from the family Cyprinidae

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