Glowlight Rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli)

Glowlight Rasbora Trigonostigma hengeli
Name	Glowlight Rasbora
Name Lat.	Trigonostigma hengeli
Synonym	Rasbora hengeli
Family	Danios
Family lat.	Danionidae
Order	Carps
Order lat.	Cypriniformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Forest streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	5.0-7.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Swarm
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Substrate spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	4-6 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	4 cm
Temperature	23-26 °C
Hardness	< 10 °dH
Aquarium	50 l
US Units
Size	1.6"
Temperature	73-79 °F
Hardness	< 178 ppm
Aquarium	15 gal

Distribution and habitat

Hengel's wedge danios are common in the Greater Sunda Islands, Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia). They live in weedy pools and in slow-flowing, shady forest streams with dense underwater vegetation and clear, slightly acidic water.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a varied planting (mainly Cryptocorynen), which offers both shelters, as well as swimming space and roots, which serve as a retreat. With shaded light (floating plants) and a dark substrate covered with some foliage (sea almond leaves) they show the most beautiful coloration.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They feed on small insects, worms, crustaceans and zooplankton. The food supply consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and mosquito larvae, which is also accepted without problems frozen, plus commercially available frozen special food mixtures. High-quality, protein-rich dry food (flakes, granules) is also accepted without problems.

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes). A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are peaceful and calm schooling fish that can be socialized well with other peaceful, small and not too lively fish. At least 8, but preferably much more Hengels Keilfleckbärblinge should be kept together.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The males are slimmer and more intensely colored. The females are more rounded and slightly larger.

Reproduction and breeding

The male usually swims around (drifts) the female in the early morning, which spawns on the underside of aquatic plant leaves, preferably Cryptocorynes. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim freely after a week

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, dust food). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.

Important

The coloration varies between silver-gray and copper, according to their origin.

Occasionally they are confused with aspen danios (Trigonostigma espei), but they do not have a thin orange-red line around the wedge spot

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF