Elegant Rasbora (Rasbora elegans)
 |
| One out of several Elegant Rasboras patrolling the surface of a slow-moving forest stream. |
Family: Danionidae
Species Name: Rasbora elegans
Common Name: Two-spot Rasbora, Elegant Rasbora
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams and catchments
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
The Elegant or Two-spot Rasbora is widespread and commonly found in our nature reserves, where it prefers forest streams and catchments fed by the mentioned streams. A schooling fish like all rasboras, it can be seen schooling with larger barbs as well. It is the largest rasbora extant in Singapore as it grows up to 13cm long while the other rasboras featured in this blog grow to only half its length or less. As one of its common name suggests, it is identified by two solid spots on its sides with the bigger spot being tear-dropped shaped. The mysterious appearance of the similar-looking Rasbora notura in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and its boundaries can make identification confusing due to hybridization. Primarily a mid to surface-water dweller, the Elegant Rasbora feeds on small invertebrates it comes across but isn't picky.
Common Name: Two-spot Rasbora, Elegant Rasbora
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams and catchments
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
The Elegant or Two-spot Rasbora is widespread and commonly found in our nature reserves, where it prefers forest streams and catchments fed by the mentioned streams. A schooling fish like all rasboras, it can be seen schooling with larger barbs as well. It is the largest rasbora extant in Singapore as it grows up to 13cm long while the other rasboras featured in this blog grow to only half its length or less. As one of its common name suggests, it is identified by two solid spots on its sides with the bigger spot being tear-dropped shaped. The mysterious appearance of the similar-looking Rasbora notura in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest and its boundaries can make identification confusing due to hybridization. Primarily a mid to surface-water dweller, the Elegant Rasbora feeds on small invertebrates it comes across but isn't picky.
 |
| A small Elegant Rasbora displaying the two spots on its side clearly. |
- Lim, K.P. and Ng, K.L. 1990. A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
- Lim, K.K.P. 2014. Rasbora notura at Lorong Banir stream. Singapore Biodiversity Records, 2014: 152. National University of Singapore.
- National Parks Board (NParks). Freshwater Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/freshwater-fishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment