Scissortail Rasbora (Rasbora trilineata) Sleek, active and instantly recognisable, the Scissortail Rasbora is a graceful schooling fish named for the black-and-white markings on its deeply forked tail, which create a distinctive “scissoring” effect as it swims. Peaceful, hardy and constantly on the move, this elegant Southeast Asian species is an excellent choice for spacious planted and community aquariums. Quick Facts Scientific name: Rasbora trilineata Common name: Scissortail Rasbora Origin: Southeast Asia Current size: Approximately 4–6 cm Adult size: Approximately 10–12 cm Tank size: 120L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟢 Easy Temperament: Peaceful and active Best kept: Schools of at least 6, with 8–10+ preferred Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You want an active, elegant schooling fish. You have a medium to large community aquarium. You enjoy fish with subtle but distinctive markings. You keep peaceful tank mates of a similar size. You want a hardy species with excellent swimming behaviour. ❌ Avoid if: Your aquarium is too small for an active 10–12 cm schooling fish. You plan to keep only one or two individuals. You keep very slow or timid fish that may be stressed by constant movement. Your aquarium has no open swimming space. Why choose the Scissortail Rasbora? The Scissortail Rasbora has a refined, streamlined appearance that becomes particularly impressive when kept in a proper school. Its silver body reflects light beautifully, while the black-and-white tail markings create the visual “scissor” effect responsible for its common name. These fish are built for movement. A healthy group spends much of the day cruising through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, creating a strong sense of activity without the aggression associated with many similarly active species. Their peaceful nature, hardiness and relatively large adult size also make them an excellent bridge between small nano schooling fish and much larger community species. Benefits Distinctive scissor-patterned tail Elegant silver body Excellent schooling behaviour Peaceful community temperament Hardy and beginner friendly Active without being aggressive Excellent for larger planted aquariums Care made simple Temperature: Approximately 23–27°C pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5 Diet: Quality flakes, micro pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms and other appropriately sized foods Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered Substrate: Sand, fine gravel or planted aquarium substrate Setup: Dense planting around the sides and rear with a large open swimming area Keep in a group to encourage confidence and natural schooling behaviour. Use a secure lid, as Scissortail Rasboras are strong swimmers and capable jumpers. Pairs perfectly with Rainbowfish Peaceful Barbs Gouramis Corydoras Bristlenose Catfish NTA Insight: Scissortail Rasboras are one of those fish that look far better in motion than they do in a still photo. The tail pattern comes alive when a school moves together, creating the characteristic scissoring effect. Give them length, open swimming space and a proper group and they become a very elegant feature fish rather than just another silver community species. FAQ Why are they called Scissortail Rasboras? The name comes from the contrasting black-and-white markings on the deeply forked caudal fin. As the tail moves while swimming, the pattern creates a distinctive scissor-like visual effect. How big do Scissortail Rasboras grow? Adults generally reach around 10–12 cm, making them considerably larger than many other commonly kept Rasboras. How many should I keep? A minimum of six is recommended, with groups of eight to ten or more producing better schooling behaviour and greater confidence. Are Scissortail Rasboras peaceful? Yes. They are peaceful community fish and generally mix well with similarly sized, non-aggressive species. What should I feed them? A varied omnivorous diet works well. Offer quality flakes or pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms and daphnia. Can they live with shrimp? Large adult shrimp may coexist with them, but small shrimp and shrimplets may be eaten opportunistically. They are not ideal for dedicated shrimp breeding tanks. Can Scissortail Rasboras breed in aquariums? Yes. They are egg-scattering fish, although successful breeding usually requires a separate setup because adults may consume eggs and fry. Do they need a long aquarium? Yes. Because they are active swimmers and reach around 10–12 cm, aquarium length and open swimming space matter just as much as total litres. How long do Scissortail Rasboras live? With excellent water quality, a varied diet and appropriate housing, they typically live for around 5–7 years.
