Home · Cyprinidae · Pearly rasbora
Pearly rasbora (Rasboroides vaterifloris) — Cyprinidae

Pearly rasbora

Rasboroides vaterifloris
Family: Cyprinidae

The Pearly rasbora (Rasboroides vaterifloris) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pearly rasbora is a small cyprinid (Danionidae) endemic to clear forest streams of southwestern Sri Lanka. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky body with a pearly, pink to orange sheen and translucent fins. As a schooling fish it lives in soft, shaded water among water plants and eats small invertebrates, larvae and plankton. Through habitat loss the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearly rasbora?

The Pearly rasbora has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Pearly rasbora live?

The Pearly rasbora lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Pearly rasbora get?

The Pearly rasbora grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Pearly rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearly rasbora is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ceylonese dwergrasbora sourced
English name
Pearly rasbora sourced
Scientific name
Rasboroides vaterifloris
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Ceylonese fire barb; Fire rasbora; Flame rasbora; Golden rasbora; Pearly rasbora verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →