Care
The Taiwan Bitterling is a peaceful shoaling species, which is best kept in groups. The aquarium should be spacious, mature, and well filtered. Be sure to provide the fish with plenty of hiding places (rocks, bogwood, robust planting) and a decent current from additional powerheads. The higher the temperature of the water, the greater the level of oxygenation that is required.
Taiwan Bitterling mix well with other fish which enjoy the same conditions. These include many species such as Danios, Minnows, Barbs as well as the spectacular freshwater gobies Stiphodon and Rhinogobius which are also native to Taiwan and China. Although this is generally a peaceable species, long-finned tankmates are best avoided.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Will take flake, micro granules, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, brineshrimp, and also some vegetable based foods.
Breeding
In the wild, this species is a mussel-spawner. It has been suggested that to breed this species in the home aquarium, the tank should contain at least one unionid freshwater mussel (such as swan mussels that are available in the UK). However, the lifespan of mussels in filtered aquaria is unpredictable, and this should only be attempted by experienced hobbyists.
