Emerald Eye Rasbora
Brevibora dorsiocellata
A small, active schooling fish native to Southeast Asia, famous for the striking black-and-white spot on its dorsal fin and its reflective 'emerald' eyes. They are highly peaceful and thrive in heavily planted or blackwater aquariums. As a strict schooling species, they must be kept in groups to feel secure, establish a natural hierarchy, and display their best colors.
Emerald Eye Rasbora At a Glance
Emerald Eye Rasbora Tank Requirements
Will Emerald Eye Rasbora fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Emerald Eye Rasbora needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Emerald Eye Rasbora against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Emerald Eye Rasbora Water Parameters
Emerald Eye Rasbora Temperament & Compatibility
Emerald Eye Rasbora Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard form found in the aquarium trade. Should always be kept in schools of at least 6, though 10+ is highly recommended to encourage tighter shoaling behavior and reduce timidity.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type
Emerald Eye Rasbora Care Guide Summary
The Emerald Eye Rasbora, scientifically known as Brevibora dorsiocellata, belongs to the Cyprinids family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 4 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the surface and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Emerald Eye Rasbora requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 55 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 5–7.5 and a general hardness of 1–10 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
The Emerald Eye Rasbora is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. The Emerald Eye Rasbora is typically available in one standard form.
Emerald Eye Rasbora Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Emerald Eye Rasbora, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the surface and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat and dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress.
Emerald Eye Rasbora Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Emerald Eye Rasbora is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the surface and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Who Emerald Eye Rasbora Is Actually For
Emerald Eye Rasbora is best for a fishkeeper who wants a species that can settle into a calmer community setup and can provide a keeper who can commit to a proper group of at least 6. It makes the most sense for a hobbyist who will actually build around its needs, especially plants.
The most common mistake is buying Emerald Eye Rasbora for looks first and only later discovering how its adult size, behavior, or bioload changes the whole tank plan. Another frequent problem is underestimating its social needs. A token pair or trio often behaves very differently from a real group.
Emerald Eye Rasbora Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Emerald Eye Rasbora.
15 Gallon Standard
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
Show 20 more tank sizes
Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald Eye Rasbora
How big does Emerald Eye Rasbora get?
Emerald Eye Rasbora (Brevibora dorsiocellata) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 4 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Emerald Eye Rasbora need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 55 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Emerald Eye Rasbora. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Emerald Eye Rasbora need?
Emerald Eye Rasbora thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 20–26°C, a pH between 5 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 1–10 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is Emerald Eye Rasbora peaceful or aggressive?
Emerald Eye Rasbora is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Emerald Eye Rasbora should be kept together?
Emerald Eye Rasbora is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Emerald Eye Rasbora have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Emerald Eye Rasbora benefits from plants - densely covered and leaf litter/blackwater in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Useful setup supplies
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Guidarium Editorial Desk
Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.
- Last reviewed
- May 4, 2026
- Last updated
- May 4, 2026
- Issues or corrections?
- Contact the editorial team
Top Tank Mates for Emerald Eye Rasbora
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Emerald Eye Rasbora based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Trapdoor Snail
Cipangopaludina chinensis
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesMalaysian Trumpet Snail (MTS)
Melanoides tuberculata
Ideal Tank MatesAssassin Snail
Anentome helena
Ideal Tank MatesBristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
Ideal Tank MatesSnowball Shrimp
Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. white
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Emerald Eye Rasbora
These plants pair well with Emerald Eye Rasbora based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Beckett's Water Trumpet
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Broad-leaved Crypt
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Carolina Fanwort
Cabomba caroliniana
Fish Similar to Emerald Eye Rasbora
Brilliant Rasbora
Rasbora einthovenii
The Brilliant Rasbora is a peaceful, highly active schooling fish native to the forest streams and peat swamps of Southeast Asia. Known for its shimmering silver body and distinct dark lateral stripe, they thrive in gently flowing, heavily planted blackwater setups with subdued lighting. They are known jumpers, requiring a tight-fitting lid.
Dwarf Rasbora
Boraras maculatus
A tiny, peaceful shoaling fish native to the blackwater streams and peat swamps of Southeast Asia. Known for their striking red/orange coloration and distinct dark body spots. They are an excellent choice for heavily planted nano tanks and peaceful dwarf shrimp setups. Because of their minute size, they are easily outcompeted for food and predated upon by larger fish.
Redline Rasbora
Rasbora pauciperforata
A slender, elegant schooling fish native to the blackwater peat swamps of Southeast Asia. Distinguished by a brilliant, glowing neon-red stripe running from its mouth to its tail. They are true blackwater fish, requiring soft, acidic water and plenty of tannins from leaf litter or driftwood to thrive and show their best colors. Peaceful but can be skittish if not kept in appropriately large schools with overhead cover.
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
A highly popular, peaceful schooling fish recognizable by its metallic copper/orange body and the distinct black triangular 'porkchop' patch on its hindquarters. Originating from peat swamps and blackwater streams in Southeast Asia, they are active swimmers that thrive in heavily planted aquariums with gentle to moderate water flow.
Cherry Spot Rasbora
Rasbora rubrodorsalis
A peaceful and active nano cyprinid native to the slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. It is characterized by a distinctive bright red spot on its dorsal fin and a dark lateral line. They are a somewhat shy but excellent shoaling species that thrives in blackwater or heavily planted setups.
Espei Rasbora (Lambchop Rasbora)
Trigonostigma espei
A small, peaceful schooling fish native to Southeast Asia. Closely related to the Harlequin Rasbora but distinguished by a more copper-orange coloration and a thinner, 'lambchop' shaped black marking on its flank. They thrive in heavily planted, mature aquariums with gentle water flow and slightly acidic water.