Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 1"
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons   • Water Conditions: 68-76° F, KH 12-20, pH 7.0-8.0
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Myanmar   • Family: Cyprinidae
• Species: Danios   • Aquarium Type: Community

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The Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Microrasbora erythromicron) is a shy schooling fish originating from the lakes of eastern Myanmar. Their natural lake habitat consists of relatively shallow water with dense vegetation and a fertile soil substrate. The Emerald Dwarf Rasbora is generally found near the lakes shoreline where it hunts for small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and zooplankton. The dense vegetation around the lakes shoreline provides not only excellent hunting grounds, but also provides protection from large predatory fish species.

This species is better suited for experienced freshwater aquarium hobbyists, as they are less tolerant of water chemistry changes and are more picky about their food sources than the average tropical community fish species. Emerald Dwarf Rasbora also require aquariums that replicate their natural environment in order for them to feel comfortable and thrive within the home aquarium.

Both the aquarium environment and tank mates play an important role in successfully keeping the Emerald Dwarf Rasbora in the home aquarium. The aquarium should be either densely planted or contain areas of the aquarium that are densely planted. This will both better replicate the Emerald Dwarf Rasboras natural habitat, but also give them a place to retreat to when threatened and to escape more boisterous tank mates.

Tank mates also play an important role due to the shy nature of the Emerald Dwarf Rasbora. They need tank mates that are similar in size and disposition as themselves; as well as, tank mates that are not overly boisterous swimmers or feeders. Due to the stable nature of their natural lake habitat, the Emerald Dwarf Rasbora is not very tolerant of rapidly fluctuating water parameters.

They will do best in calm well planted aquariums with a neutral pH and stable low to mid 70°F water temperature. Lastly, it is important to house this species as a group of 6 or more individuals, as they are a schooling species and will not do well in a pair or as a solo specimen.

In its natural habitat the Emerald Dwarf Rasbora feeds primarily on small invertebrates, insect larvae, small worms, algae and zooplankton. They need to be fed a varied diet that consists of both plant based and meaty foodstuffs. Emerald Dwarf Rasbora are known for being somewhat shy and picky feeders when first introduced to the aquarium environment.

Also do to their small size, the Emerald Dwarf Rasbora should be fed foods that have a small particle size like daphnia, artemia, baby brine shrimp, cyclop-eeze, quality frozen foods and other similar fare. They should be fed 2 to 3 times daily an amount of food that they will consume within a few minutes. Their small physical size means that they will be unable to consume large quantities of food at a single feeding, and will much prefer to have smaller more frequent feedings.