Rasbora Pauciperforata Redline Care Guide: Sumatra Redstripe

The redline rasbora is the kind of fish that looks ordinary in a shop bag and transforms once it hits a planted blackwater tank, where the bright red lateral stripe glows against the bronze body. Rasbora pauciperforata is a 6-7 cm peaceful shoaler from Sumatran and Bornean forest streams, known for the single sharp red line running from snout to tail base. The rasbora pauciperforata is one of the most underrated wild rasboras in the hobby — a serious shoaling display fish at modest pricing. This guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers the husbandry essentials.

Origin and Wild Habitat

Range covers Sumatra, Borneo and the southern Malay Peninsula, with populations in slow-flowing forest streams and peat swamp margins. Water there is tea-stained, pH 5.0-6.5, conductivity 20-60 microsiemens, and 24-27°C. The species shoals over leaf-littered substrates with moderate overhead vegetation cover.

Tank Size

A shoal of eight to ten fish needs 90 litres minimum due to active swimming behaviour. Groups of 12-20 in 120-150 litres show best colouration and shoaling intensity. Length is critical — at least 80 cm tank length suits the active swimming style.

Aquascape

Build with fine dark sand, three or four pieces of driftwood arranged to break sight lines, leaf litter base, and a mix of stem plants and crypt species. Floating frogbit or salvinia dims the surface and brings out colour. Stock ANS Catappa Leaves Large for tannin staining.

Water Parameters

Target pH 5.5-6.8, GH 2-6, KH 0-3, temperature 25-27°C. Singapore PUB tap is close enough that mild peat acidification suffices for adults. Wild imports adapt better when started in pre-acidified water; captive-bred farm stock tolerates straight tap easily.

Filtration

Moderate flow suits this species — they enjoy gentle current. A small canister or HOB filter on a 90-120 litre tank works well. Browse the aquarium filtration range for canister and HOB options sized for community planted tanks.

Feeding

Omnivorous and easy. Quality micro-pellet, crushed flake, frozen daphnia, frozen bloodworm, and live blackworm all eaten readily. Twice-daily feeding in small portions suits the active metabolism. The community fish food range includes appropriate flake and small pellet options.

Behaviour and Shoaling

Strongly shoaling — never keep fewer than eight. In groups of ten or more, redlines display constant low-level chasing within the school and stay in open midwater. They are fast, active, and outcompete shy tank mates at feeding time, so plan stocking carefully.

Tank Mates

Compatible with similar-sized peaceful shoalers (rummynose tetras, lambchop rasboras, harlequins), small loaches, and Corydoras species. Avoid pairing with very shy wild species like Sundadanio or licorice gouramis — the redline activity stresses them. Larger angels and discus can work in 200-litre+ planted tanks.

Breeding

Egg-scattering type. A breeding setup with conditioned pair or trio, fine spawning mop, slightly raised temperature, and reduced light triggers spawning. Adults eat eggs and need removal. Fry need infusoria for the first week, then baby brine. Breeding is occasional in well-maintained planted display tanks even without dedicated effort.

Singapore Sourcing

Wild Sumatran and Bornean redlines come through Iwarna at SGD 4-8 per fish, often in batches of 50-100 from shipment. Captive-bred farm stock from Czech and German breeders surfaces at SGD 6-10 with better adaptation to neutral water. House a shoal in a 90-120 cm tank from the aquarium tank range for best swimming room.

Why Redlines Work in Singapore Community Tanks

Three factors make this an underrated choice: forgiving water parameter window, genuine biotope accuracy with wild bettas and gouramis, and a striking colour-and-line pattern that punches above its modest pricing. The species also breeds occasionally without intervention in mature planted tanks, giving long-term keepers free recruitment to maintain shoal numbers.

Related Reading

• Rasbora Dorsiocellata Care Guide
• Rasbora Axelrodi Blue Axelrod Care Guide
• Sumatran Rainforest Biotope Aquascape Design Guide
• Blackwater Aquarium Chemistry Tannin Management Guide
• Harlequin Rasbora Singapore Wild Strain Care Guide