Galaxy Rasboras in Danger!
February 6th, 2007This was posted on the forums, but I wanted to re-emphasize its importance. It appears that the native habitat of the Galaxy Rasbora is being threatened due to overfishing by exporters of the aquarium fish. I’m not really sure what we, as hobbiests, can do to help except to avoid buying Galaxy Rasboras that aren’t captive bred. Unfortunately, most LFS’ don’t know or display such information.
I’m a little bit conflicted because as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I recently purchased a bunch of these beautiful fish after coming across a deal I couldn’t refuse. I’ve been feeding them black-worms, so now I think I’m going to do my best to breed these guys. Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of information about their spawning parameters due to their newness to the hobby. Please comment if you know how to breed these fish.
Update: I manage to come across a link to another site that details how they’ve successfully bred the Galaxy Rasboras. Here’s the link: http://www.aquamoss.net/Articles/Microrasbora-sp-Galaxy.htm
June 4th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
[…] I previously noted that this species, while just introduced to the hobby, is in danger of being over-fished and exterminated from its original habitat. Due to my own trouble breeding these guys, I eagerly looked inside to see what I was doing wrong. […]
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 am
I was reading this free email UK subscription Practical Fish Keeping and it has a few comments from readers who have successfully bred this fish. Apparently not to difficult – spawning mop or java moss over black marbles, sponge filter so on.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=557
From one of the members:
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August 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 am
Oops – didn’t show up. Hope it’s ok to post this from one of the member response.
Breeding these little fish is very easy – I use the tiny spawning tank I use for zebra danios – a 12″x8″x8″ tank with a sponge filter, a bottom covered with black marbles, a few bunches of Cabomba, and local tap water – which is slightly hard, but fairly neutral pH. I keep the water heated to 25 degrees. I put a pair in and leave them 2 or 3 days to settle (and hopefully spawn), then fish them out and leave the tank – fry appear within 3 days or so, and feed happily on Liquifry No 1 and infusoria.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:38 am
Thanks for relaying this information, Sherry! I don’t currently have these fish anymore, but I hope it’s helpful to other folks who do. Thanks for sharing!
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
It is funny how one thing leads to another. I get the great UK Practical FishKeeping email newsletter (Fish Magazines hard to find in NYC Midtown anymore – not much demand) – noted the article, and was doing a search just for the hey of it and came across your site (again, great site) and posted.
I think as many sites as possible mentioning these facts re this beauty will help to create dissemination of this vital information. Luckily it appears to breed easily enough and the commercial fish farms will take up the slack. (probably already have)
September 17th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
where can i buy these fish!?
September 17th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Brandon, I see them fairly regularly at my local fish store. They’re often available from online retailers on Aquabid, as well.