Most rasbora fish live between 3 and 8 years in an aquarium. Harlequin rasboras typically have a life expectancy of about 5 years, while Galaxy rasboras only live to about 4. Chili rasboras also typically live for approximately 4 to 8 years. Their tank conditions and care greatly determine their life expectancy.
If you want to know how long you can expect your rasboras to live, you have come to the right place. We will discuss how long different kinds of rasboras live and how you should care for them to ensure they live healthy and happy life.
How Long Do Different Rasboras Live?
The average life expectancy of a rasbora is about 4 or 5 years. However, some rasboras can live up to eight years, while others are lucky if they live to be four years old.
Some of the most popular aquarium rasboras are harlequin rasboras, galaxy rasboras, chili rasboras, scissortail rasboras, and blackline rasboras. How long do these types of rasboras generally live?
How Long Do Harlequin Rasboras Live?
Harlequin rasboras are some of the most common aquarium rasboras. Their striking appearance through contrasting colors is why people love them so much.
In addition, Harlequin rasboras are easy to take care of and have a long life expectancy if you care for them properly.
Harlequin rasboras have a life expectancy of 5 to 8 years. However, Harlequin rasboras die early because of environmental stress or if they are kept in groups smaller than 6.
How Long Do Galaxy Rasboras Live?
Galaxy rasboras are beautiful fish. They have a deep blue color with pearl spots covering their bodies.
They also have bright orange fins, making them even more appealing.
Galaxy rasboras live for about 3 to 5 years in captivity, although they can live longer if cared for properly. Galaxy rasboras require neutral pH tank water between 72 and 79°F.
How Long Do Chili Rasboras Live?
Chili rasboras are brightly colored in hues of pink and red. They have one red and black stripe running down the side of their bodies, and their large, black eyes give them an interesting appearance.
Unfortunately, chili rasboras have particular water requirements, which is often the cause of their short lifespan.
In captivity, chili rasboras have a life expectancy of 4 to 8 years.
However, if you don’t treat your water to remove hard minerals or chlorine, these rasboras may not live as long. This is because their natural habitat has water with few minerals.
How Long Do Scissortail Rasboras Live?
Scissortail rasboras are streamlined, silver fish with a deep fork in their tail, giving them their names. They also have a white and black stripe on each tail fork, giving them an exciting appearance.
Even more exciting than their appearance is their tendency to dart from one side of the tank to the other.
Scissortail rasboras also live for approximately 4 to 7 years in captivity. These rasboras don’t care much about how you decorate their tank. However, you should ensure they have enough room to swim freely.
I, Lerdsuwa [CC-BY-SA-3.0]How Long Do Blackline Rasboras Live?
Blackline rasboras get their name from the black line that runs horizontally across their bodies, starting at their gills and ending at their tails. Apart from the black line, they also have a yellow line above the black one, and their tails have a splash of red.
Blackline rasboras are quite hardy and often survive in polluted waters.
You can expect these tough little fish to live for about 5 to 7 years in captivity. They prefer swimming in schools, though, and isolation can lead to their deaths.
Now that you know how long you can expect these rasboras to live, you may wonder how you can ensure they live the longest life possible.
How Do You Care For Rasbora Fish To Prolong Their Life?
The best way to ensure that your rasboras live as long as possible is to ensure they are happy with their living conditions. Stress and isolation can lead to premature death in fish and make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Rasboras typically prefer water with a pH level of 6.8 to 7.8, but some rasbora species have more exact water pH requirements. Furthermore, rasboras require a tank with calm water and black substrate, as they are used to it in the wild.
Adding some plants to the rasboras’ tank will also help them feel more comfortable. Always ensure that there aren’t bigger, aggressive fish in the tank that may attack or harm them.
Finally, rasboras are school fish, meaning you must keep a school of them instead of just one or two. To prevent fighting, it is best to have at least six rasboras in your tank, with two females for every male.
If you ensure that your rasboras live in a clean environment free from stress, they will likely live much longer. You can give them a mixed diet of flake food and fresh or frozen brine shrimp to keep them healthy.
What Are Common Health Problems With Rasboras?
Although rasboras are easy to care for and hardy fish, some diseases and conditions may lead to their untimely deaths. Catching and treating these diseases early will help keep your rasbora population healthy and help them live longer.
Of course, keeping your rasboras in a stress-free environment by keeping their tank clean and the tank conditions ideal is the best way to ensure your rasboras have the immunity to fight off any diseases they are exposed to.
Some of the most common rasbora diseases:
- Mouth Fungus
- Pop Eye Disease
- Furunculosis
- Columnaris
- Dropsy
- Fin Rot and Tail Rot
- Anchor Worms
- Hole In The Head Disease
- Itch
- Velvet Disease
If you notice one of your rasboras with symptoms of any of these diseases, you must isolate it immediately.
Furthermore, you must treat the sick and healthy rasboras and clean the tank to ensure that the other rasboras aren’t infected and that your rasboras don’t die.
Are Rasboras Easy To Care For?
Rasboras are generally easy to care for. Most rasboras, including the ones listed above, are beginner friendly, and you can keep them in your aquarium with little to no previous experience.
The biggest concern with rasboras is that their tank water will become too acidic, leading to the fish becoming ill or possibly dying.
Keeping the fish in too small schools will also affect their health, as they are naturally schooling fish and prefer swimming in large groups.
Fortunately, you can control these conditions, making it far easier to care for your rasboras.
If you follow these protocols and observe your rasboras carefully for any signs of infection or disease, you should have a thriving rasbora population that lives up to or longer than its general life expectancy.
Conclusion
Rasboras typically live between 3 and 8 years, depending on the type of rasbora. Some rasboras are hardier than others. However, monitoring your rasboras’ tank conditions and ensuring they are healthy and happy is vital if you want them to live long.