Rasbora cf. dandia

Overview

Rasbora cf. dandia retains a qualified identification and may be a form of Rasbora dandia itself. It is a surface-associated jumper needing substantial adult space. A different name on a sales label does not resolve that uncertainty.

Distribution & habitat

It is widespread in Sri Lanka and the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Occupied lowland freshwater habitats include rivers, streams, rice fields, ponds, and artificial reservoirs.

Aquarium setup

For long-term care, allow a footprint of at least about 120 × 45 cm. Clean water and unobstructed swimming room take priority. A large planted tank or river-style arrangement with stones, gravel, rounded boulders, branches, and attached plants can work.

Organic waste accumulation is poorly tolerated. Maintain water quality consistently and seal the cover very closely: this surface-dwelling fish can jump through surprisingly small openings.

Diet & feeding

Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates are considered likely natural prey, based partly on comparable species. Captive feeding is generally easy. Rotate live or frozen bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp with quality flakes or granules.

Behaviour & compatibility

It is peaceful in a sufficiently spacious community, but adult dimensions, behavior, and environmental requirements still govern companion selection. Keep at least six together to reduce nervousness and observe male courtship competition.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females have distinctly rounder abdomens and are often slightly larger than males.

Breeding

Aquarium reproduction has succeeded. It repeatedly scatters eggs without care when in good condition, and a mature planted aquarium may occasionally retain a few young.

In an observed spawning, relatively large, nonadhesive eggs landed randomly on the bottom rather than attaching to plants. They were siphoned into separate accommodation because adults apparently ate earlier batches. Hatching took approximately sixty hours. Paramecium was the first food, followed within a day by brine shrimp nauplii, microworms, and suitably small dry food. Some young exceeded 25 mm after four weeks, an observation rather than a guaranteed growth schedule.

A raised mesh can protect eggs by allowing them to fall beyond adult reach, followed by removal of the parents. Plastic grass has also worked as an egg trap for other rasboras, whereas the direct observation here involved eggs scattered on the bottom.

Notes

It is often mislabeled as Rasbora wilpita, whose confirmed range involves only a few Sri Lankan streams. Retaining cf. distinguishes an unresolved identification from a scientifically confirmed name; a trade label should not override it.