亨氏波鱼

Overview

Trigonostigma hengeli carries a vivid orange highlight around the front and upper edge of its dark flank marking, set against a grayish or nearly clear body. A quiet planted group display shows this small fish well. Shared trade names can conceal differences from similar rasboras.

Distribution & habitat

It belongs to the Greater Sunda Islands, with confirmed collections in Jambi, Sumatra, including the Batang Hari drainage. Suggested records from West Kalimantan on Borneo remain less certain. Typical sites are gentle forest streams with dense submerged plants, soft slightly acidic to neutral water, fallen branches, and leaf litter under shaded banks.

Aquarium setup

Use dark substrate, abundant planting, and wood shade to emphasize the orange markings. Soft sand, roots, and branches provide cover. Leaf litter supports microorganisms that may supplement fry food and contributes to a natural blackwater appearance. Floating plants and shade-tolerant planting work with subdued illumination.

Diet & feeding

Tiny insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton are probable natural foods. Fine prepared foods are generally accepted, but regular live or frozen Daphnia, Artemia, and suitably small bloodworms improve dietary variety.

Behaviour & compatibility

Its peaceful nature allows appropriately small companions with matching needs. Keep at least eight to ten individuals to reduce nervousness and encourage displays. The modest adult size remains an important constraint when choosing tankmates.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult females are usually slightly larger and deeper-bodied. Males are slimmer and more intensely colored.

Breeding

Adhesive eggs are placed beneath broad leaves or other surfaces without subsequent care. Occasional fry can survive in mature planted tanks. For greater yield, arrange a dim separate aquarium with broad leaves or substitutes, mesh below for fallen eggs, soft acidic water, and gentle aeration.

Condition adults using frequent small live and frozen meals. When females are full and males display, replace roughly forty to fifty percent with cooler water and introduce one or two pairs a few hours later, preferably that evening. Repeated practice movements may precede spawning; pairs eventually invert beneath a leaf and release eggs and sperm in batches. Change pairs if no eggs appear within three or four days. Separate eggs and adults promptly afterward. Eggs commonly hatch within one to two days, and fry swim freely around a week. Begin with microscopic foods such as Paramecium, then progress to microworms and Artemia nauplii.

Notes

The label “glowlight rasbora” is also used for other fish. The pale body and orange border of the dark marking are more useful clues. Reports favoring older breeders concern related species and do not establish a mandatory breeding age here.