If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
Contents
Overview
The scissortail rasbora is named for its deeply forked tail, marked with two black patches and white edges, which it flicks open and shut as it swims, just like a pair of scissors. The body is silvery and almost translucent, with a thin dark stripe along the side. It comes from rivers, lakes and flooded areas of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
It is a hardy, peaceful and very active fish, perfect for bringing movement to the midwater of a large community tank. What many buyers do not realize is that it reaches 4-5 in (10-13 cm): it is sold small but needs real space later. Beginners can keep it if they have a roomy tank.
Care and tank setup
Because of its size and speed, it needs at least a 40-gallon (150 L) tank, around 4 ft (120 cm) long being ideal, for a school of 8-10. Bigger is better.
- Space: keep a wide open swimming lane in the middle, with plants along the sides and back.
- Water: tolerant of a broad hardness range at 72-79 °F (22-26 °C); what matters most is clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate flow.
- Lid: essential, since it jumps when startled.
- Tank mates: peaceful fish of similar size such as larger tetras, calm barbs, gouramis, corydoras, loaches, rainbowfish or mid-sized plecos.
Avoid tiny fish like Boraras or small neons, and dwarf shrimp, because an adult scissortail may eat them. A group of two or three lives nervous and hidden; in a big school it relaxes and looks far better.
Feeding
It is an undemanding omnivore. It takes flakes, quality pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp or daphnia. In the wild it eats many insects that fall onto the water, so it appreciates live food too. Feed once or twice a day, only what is eaten within a couple of minutes. Because the school is fast, spread food across the surface so the shyer fish get their share too.
Breeding
It scatters eggs among fine plants and gives no care; adults eat the eggs if they can. To breed it, set up a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and moss or a mesh on the bottom, add a well-conditioned pair or small group and remove them after spawning. Eggs hatch in a day or two, and the fry need infusoria at first.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Scissortail rasbora. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Dwarf gourami Trichogaster lalius 16 gal (60 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Scissortail rasbora, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Celestial pearl danio: one may eat the other due to size
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Scissortail rasbora healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Scissortail rasbora need?
At least about 150 liters for a group of at least 8 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Scissortail rasbora need?
Between 22 and 26 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Scissortail rasbora?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Scissortail rasbora be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
