Brighten up your freshwater aquarium with the captivating Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli), also known as the Hengel’s Rasbora, False Harlequin, or Glowlight Caridina/Rasbora. Known for its translucent, iridescent copper body and striking neon-orange streak running above a slender black pork-chop marking, this peaceful nano fish creates a mesmerizing focal point when swimming in tight, shimmering schools.

Hardy, active, and exceptionally peaceful, the Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora is an absolute favorite among planted tank enthusiasts, nano aquarists, and community tank keepers alike.

Quick Care & Specifications

• Scientific Name: Trigonostigma hengeli

• Common Names: Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora, Hengel's Rasbora, Copper Harlequin, False Harlequin Rasbora

• Origin: Southeast Asia (Sumatra and Borneo, Indonesia)

• Care Level: Easy / Beginner-Friendly

• Temperament: Peaceful schooling community fish

• Adult Size: 1.0 – 1.25 inches (2.5 – 3.2 cm)

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 to 15 gallons

• Diet: Omnivore / Micro-predator

• Water Temperature: 73°F – 82°F (23°C – 28°C)

• pH Range: 5.5 – 7.5 (prefers slightly acidic soft water)

• Hardness: 2 – 10 dGH

Place of Origin & Natural Habitat

Native to the lush tropical freshwater systems of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia, the Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora inhabits slow-moving, shallow forest streams, peat swamps, and tributaries. In nature, these waterways are heavily shaded by dense jungle canopy, carpeted with leaf litter, and rich in natural tannins that soften and acidify the water.

Tank Size & Environment Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is suitable for a small group, but a 15 to 20-gallon long tank is strongly recommended to allow ample open swimming space for larger shoals.

• Aquarium Decor & Aquascaping: Hengeli Rasboras look their absolute best against a dark substrate, such as black sand or aqua soil, framed by lush aquatic plants (like Cryptocoryne, Java Fern, and Anubias). Adding driftwood and natural botanicals (e.g., Indian Almond leaves) releases beneficial tannins, mimicking their native blackwater conditions and intensifying their glowing neon-orange hues.

• Water Flow & Lighting: Provide gentle-to-moderate water flow and diffused, subdued lighting, or use floating plants (such as Amazon frogbit or red root floaters) to provide dappled shade and help them feel secure.

Feeding & Diet

In the home aquarium, the Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora is an unpretentious, eager eater. As small-mouthed micro-predators, they thrive on high-quality, finely sized food:

• Staple Foods: High-grade micro-pellets, crushed flake foods, and slow-sinking nano bites rich in carotenoids to enhance coloration.

• Supplemental / Live Treats: Regular offerings of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and micro-worms will keep them vibrant, energetic, and conditioned for spawning.

Temperament & Ideal Tank Mates

The Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora is a strictly peaceful schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least 8 to 10 individuals (12+ is ideal). In larger schools, their schooling behavior is tighter, stress is minimized, and their luminous colors shine at their brightest.

• Ideal Tank Mates Include:

  • Nano & Peaceful Fish: Chili Rasboras, Harlequin Rasboras, Neon/Cardinal Tetras, Ember Tetras, Celestial Pearl Danios, Otocinclus catfish, and Pygmy Corydoras.

  • Labyrinth Fish: Peaceful Dwarf Gouramis, Honey Gouramis, and calm Betta splendens (in appropriately sized tanks).

  • Invertebrates: Completely safe with adult freshwater shrimp (Neocaridina and Caridina varieties), Amano shrimp, and nerite or mystery snails.

• Avoid: Large, aggressive, or boisterous fish (such as large cichlids, aggressive barbs, or predatory catfish) that may intimidate or prey on them.

Breeding & Reproduction

Trigonostigma hengeli is an egg-laying species with a unique spawning behavior:

• Spawning Method: Unlike egg scatterers, they deposit their adhesive eggs on the undersides of broad plant leaves (such as Cryptocoryne or Anubias), swimming upside down during the mating ritual.

• Breeding Setup: To breed them successfully, set up a dedicated shallow breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, low GH) and dim lighting. Condition breeding pairs with live foods.

• Fry Care: Adults do not provide parental care and may consume unattended eggs; remove adult pairs post-spawn. The microscopic fry hatch within 24 to 36 hours and require infusoria or paramecia before graduating to freshly hatched baby brine shrimp.

Why Choose the Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora?

Whether you are designing a high-tech nature aquascape, a low-tech Walstad aquarium, or a peaceful community tank, the Glowlight Hengeli Rasbora brings unmatched dynamic movement and fiery, radiant color in a tiny, gentle package.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.