Debate of the Baboons

Rasbora Paviana, scientific name Rasbora paviana, belongs to the family Cyprinidae (Cyprinidae). The name can be misleading and there will be an erroneous analogy with the representative of primates – the Baboon. In fact, the fish is named after its discoverer, the biologist Auguste Pavie, which in Latin is designated as “paviana”. And the word consonant with the genus of monkeys is only a Russian-language transcription.

Habitat

The fish originates from Southeast Asia, inhabiting most of the basins of the region’s major river systems in vast expanses of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It occurs everywhere both in fast streams and rivers with substrates of stones and boulders, and in stagnant and swampy reservoirs with muddy water and silty substrates.

Description

Adults reach a length of 9–12 cm. The color of the body is silvery with pink or copper hues, depending on the angle of incidence of light. The fins and tail are translucent, but yellow colors may appear on them. A black stripe runs along the body, resembling a safety pin with a point closer to the head and a rounded tip at the base of the tail.

Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed. Males and females have few visible differences.

Behavior and Compatibility

The fish has a peaceful disposition and is able to adapt to a wide range of hydrochemical parameters, which makes it an excellent candidate for a general aquarium. Compatible with most other non-aggressive species of comparable size.

In nature, they live in small flocks, so it is recommended to maintain a group size of at least 6-8 individuals in aquariums.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 100 liters.
• Temperature – 22-26°C
• Value pH — 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness – soft to medium hard (1-15 dGH)
• Substrate type – any
• Lighting – subdued, moderate
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement – weak, moderate, strong
• The size of the fish is 9–10 cm.
• Food – any food
• Temperament – peaceful
• Keeping in a group of 6-8 individuals

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The optimal size of an aquarium for 6 fish starts from 100-120 liters. The choice of design is arbitrary, subject to the availability of free areas for swimming.

Water quality is key to successful management. The accumulation of organic waste that can disturb the biological balance and sharp fluctuations in pH and dGH values ​​should not be allowed. While Rasbora Baboon will adapt successfully to varying levels of water hardness and acidity, any changes should be gradual.

The uninterrupted operation of the filtration system is largely responsible for the quality of the water, however, one should not forget about the weekly replacement of part of the water with fresh water, which is recommended to be combined with the removal of food residues, excrement and other waste.

Food

In an aquarium environment, popular dry, frozen and live foods of suitable sizes will become the basis of the daily diet.

Breeding / breeding

The breeding strategy is similar to most cyprinids. In suitable conditions, Rasbora Baboon spawns regularly among thickets of plants or, in the absence of plants, scattering eggs in the water column. Parental instincts are not developed, so adult fish often eat their own caviar and fry that have appeared.

Fish diseases

When kept in a favorable environment, cases of disease are rare. As a rule, the causes of the disease are the deterioration of water quality, poor nutrition, and injuries. All this depresses the immune system of the fish and makes the fish prone to infection. Almost always, treatment begins with the identification and elimination of negative environmental factors, and only then (if necessary) they begin to administer drugs. Read more in the section “Diseases of aquarium fish”.