Product Details

Asian Rummynose Rasbora – Sawbwa resplendens

The Asian Rummynose Rasbora is a distinctive small cyprinid from Myanmar, best known for the silver-blue colour, red nose and red tail markings shown by mature males. Also sold as the Rummynose Rasbora, Burmese Rummynose, Sawbwa Barb or Naked Microrasbora, this species is an excellent choice for a peaceful planted aquarium with cooler tropical conditions and moderately hard, alkaline water. It is a beautiful shoaling fish, but it should be kept in a settled group rather than as a small add-on to a busy community tank.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Asian Rummynose Rasbora
Other Names: Rummynose Rasbora, Burmese Rummynose, Sawbwa Barb, Naked Microrasbora
Scientific Name: Sawbwa resplendens
Fish Type: Rasbora / Small Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Sawbwa resplendens is endemic to Myanmar, where it is strongly associated with Inle Lake and nearby swampy habitats in Shan State. It occurs in large shoals among dense aquatic vegetation, including clear and peat-influenced waters around the lake and surrounding wetlands.

Unlike many small rasboras that prefer very soft acidic water, Asian Rummynose Rasboras are associated with the naturally mineral-rich, alkaline waters of the Inle Lake region. In the aquarium, they should be given a mature planted setup with open swimming space, gentle flow and plenty of cover.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Mature male Asian Rummynose Rasboras are especially striking, with a smooth silver to blue-silver body, a red snout and red markings in the tail. Females and juveniles are more subtly coloured, usually showing a plainer silver or greyish body and less red colour.

This species has a slender, almost scaleless-looking body, which is why it is sometimes called the Naked Microrasbora. Adults usually reach around 3–4 cm, making them small, active and well suited to peaceful planted aquariums.

Aquarium Suitability:

Asian Rummynose Rasboras are best suited to mature planted aquariums, Inle Lake-style displays and peaceful community tanks with calm, similarly sized fish. They do well with plants, floating cover, open midwater swimming areas and stable water conditions.

They are not ideal for very soft blackwater tanks, high-temperature tropical setups or rough communities with boisterous fish. Their colour and confidence are much better in a proper group with steady water quality and low stress.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with 80 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal and mixed community.

Keep in a group of at least 8, with 10 or more preferred where space allows. Larger groups help reduce nervousness, improve male display behaviour and create a more natural shoaling effect.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 20–24°C
pH: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: Moderately hard to hard
Additional Notes: This species is best kept in clean, stable, mineral-rich water rather than very soft acidic conditions. Avoid consistently high temperatures, sudden water changes and unstable new aquariums. Gentle to moderate flow and good oxygenation are recommended.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Asian Rummynose Rasboras are peaceful shoaling fish, although males may display and chase lightly when competing for attention. This is usually harmless in a good-sized group with enough space and cover.

Suitable tank mates include Celestial Pearl Danios, Emerald Dwarf Rasboras, small danios, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, peaceful livebearers in suitable water, small hillstream loaches and other calm fish that enjoy cooler, harder water. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, very warm-water fish and tiny shy species that may be stressed by their activity.

Feeding:

Asian Rummynose Rasboras are small omnivores that feed on tiny aquatic invertebrates, zooplankton and small food particles in nature. In the aquarium, offer fine flakes, micro pellets and small floating or slow-sinking granules as the staple diet.

Supplement with small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. Their mouths are small, so foods should be appropriately sized. A varied diet helps males develop stronger silver-blue colour and red markings.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active midwater shoaling fish that looks best in a bright but well-planted aquarium. Males often display to females and rival males, showing stronger colour when settled and in good condition.

Asian Rummynose Rasboras spend much of their time in open water near plants, moving as a loose group rather than tightly schooling at all times. Breeding may occur in mature planted aquariums, with eggs deposited among vegetation, although adults may eat eggs and fry.

Care Notes:

Keep this species in a proper group and avoid very soft, acidic conditions. A mature aquarium with stable mineral content, clean water and cooler tropical temperatures is strongly recommended.

Do not keep them in overheated tanks or with aggressive fish. Provide planted cover, open swimming space and small foods. They are generally hardy once settled, but they can lose colour and condition in cramped, unstable or overly warm aquariums.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Usually captive-bred or commercially farmed, with wild-caught fish sometimes available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.