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Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) — Cyprinidae

Sarawak rasbora

Rasbora sarawakensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

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Description

The Sarawak rasbora is a rasbora, a small cyprinid (Danionidae) from fresh water of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body. A fine dark longitudinal line 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 Sarawak rasbora?

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

Where does the Sarawak rasbora live?

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

How big does the Sarawak rasbora get?

The Sarawak rasbora grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Sarawak rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Sarawak 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

Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Margie Surahman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Frank M. Greco (CC BY 3.0)
Sarawak rasbora (Rasbora sarawakensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Amat Ribut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sarawak rasbora sourced
Scientific name
Rasbora sarawakensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 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: Indonesia, Malaysia 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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