Care
The Blue Cardinal Rasbora is a peaceful midwater shoaling species that should be maintained in groups of 6 or more. In the wild, this species inhabits small, clear softwater forest streams with vegetation and mixed sand/gravel substrates. A mature, heavily planted tank would be ideal to showcase this species (their colours intensify when settled into a well planted environment). Tankmates should be of similar size and temperament. Very closely related to
R. sarawakensis;
R. rutteni can be told apart by its more rounded snout, 26-29 lateral line scales (vs. 24-26 in
R. sarawakensis), and the dark lateral stripe markedly lighter anteriorly (rather than of equal intensity for the entire length). Not often seen in the trade.
Feeding
Flake, small sinking pellets/granules, and small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, and daphnia.
Breeding
This egg scattering species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
