Product Details

Patrick’s Rasbora – Rasbora patrickyapi

The Patrick’s Rasbora is an uncommon, peaceful Bornean shoaling fish suited to mature planted aquariums with calm tank mates and stable water quality. Correctly known as Rasbora patrickyapi, this species comes from blackwater and peat-swamp habitats, so it is best kept in a soft-water style aquarium with shaded areas, plant cover and open swimming space. It is a specialist rasbora compared with common Harlequins, making it a good choice for aquarists looking for a more unusual Asian community fish.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Patrick’s Rasbora
Other Names: Patrick Rasbora, Patrick’s Borneo Rasbora, Bornean Rasbora
Scientific Name: Rasbora patrickyapi
Fish Type: Rasbora / Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Rasbora patrickyapi is native to central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. It is associated with shallow, slow-flowing swampy areas beside blackwater streams, including lowland peat swamps and heath-forest habitats.

In the aquarium, Patrick’s Rasbora should be kept in a mature setup with soft planting, shaded areas, gentle flow and open swimming space. Wood, botanicals, floating plants and darker décor can help create a natural-looking blackwater-style environment, although very dark water is not essential if conditions are clean and stable.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Patrick’s Rasbora has a slender, streamlined body suited to active shoaling. The body is usually silver, bronze or lightly golden, with a darker lateral marking or subtle stripe depending on mood, age and lighting. Settled fish show their best contrast in planted aquariums with subdued lighting and a good-sized group.

Adults reach around 5–6 cm, making them larger than tiny nano rasboras but still small enough for peaceful planted community aquariums.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature peaceful community aquariums, soft-water Asian displays and planted blackwater-style setups. It needs stable water quality, gentle tank mates and enough open space for group swimming.

Patrick’s Rasbora is not suitable for brand-new aquariums, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, very hard alkaline livebearer setups or cramped nano tanks. It should be kept as a group fish, not singly or in pairs.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 75 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60–75 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 90 litres or more are preferred for bigger shoals and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. Larger groups are more confident, show better natural behaviour and reduce stress.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–27°C
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately soft preferred
Additional Notes: This species is best maintained in clean, stable, mature water. Avoid sudden changes in pH, hardness or temperature. It is especially suitable for soft-water aquariums with plants, wood, leaf litter or botanical-style décor.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Patrick’s Rasbora is a peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other calm rasboras, small peaceful tetras, pencilfish, small gouramis, peaceful loaches, small Cory-type catfish in compatible conditions, Otocinclus and small non-aggressive bottom dwellers.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers, very boisterous barbs and fish large enough to swallow them. They are best kept with calm species that enjoy similar soft, shaded aquarium conditions.

Feeding:

Patrick’s Rasbora is an easy-feeding omnivore once settled. Offer quality fine flakes, small granules and micro pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.

Small insect-based foods are also useful, as many rasboras naturally feed on tiny invertebrates and drifting food items. Feed small portions that are eaten quickly to maintain water quality.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal through open areas and planted edges. A settled group is peaceful, active and attractive without being overly boisterous.

Like other rasboras, Patrick’s Rasbora is an egg-scattering fish and does not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Patrick’s Rasbora only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium. Provide stable water, plant cover, shaded areas and a proper group. Avoid harsh lighting over a bare tank, as this can make the fish nervous and reduce colour.

Because this is an uncommon species, availability may be limited and stock may arrive as specialist imports. Take care to acclimate slowly, especially if the fish have been kept in soft or acidic water before arrival.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import

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, body tone, stripe intensity, fin colour and markings can occur between individual fish.