The Emerald Dwarf Rasbora (Celestichthys erythromicron) is a vibrant, tiny freshwater fish reaching just 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Despite its common name, it is actually more closely related to danios than true rasboras. Endemic to Lake Inle in Myanmar, these "micro-fish" are famous for their shimmering turquoise-green vertical stripes and bright orange-red fins, making them a "hidden gem" for nano aquariums. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] Quick Care Overview Tank Size: Minimum 5–10 gallons; they thrive in small, heavily planted setups. Water Conditions: Prefer slightly alkaline water (pH 7.0–8.0) and temperatures between 70°F and 78°F. Behavior: Peaceful but notably shy and skittish. They are shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of 8 or more to feel secure. Diet: Omnivorous; they readily accept high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, and live or frozen foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. Tank Mates: Best kept with other peaceful nano species like Celestial Pearl Danios, shrimp, or snails.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] Identification & Breeding Appearance: They feature up to 15 emerald green bars along their sides and a distinct black spot at the base of the tail. [1, 2] Sexing: Males are typically more colorful with deeper blue tones and redder fins, while females are larger and have rounder, more opaque bellies. [1, 2] Breeding: They are egg scatterers that often spawn daily in dense vegetation like Java Moss. To ensure fry survival, it's often necessary to remove the parents, as they may eat their own eggs.
