Red Dwarf Rasbora

The males dwarf red rasbora reaches up to 3.0 cm (1.2 in) in length, the females dwarf red rasbora reaches up to 4.0 cm (1.6 in) in length. Its meristics are that there are 2 spines and 6-7 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 3 spines and 10-12 soft rays in the anal fin. The females are less intensely coloured than the males and are larger and have a much deeper body, the males have the bright flame red coloured and a distinct metallic blue line above their flame red coloured, while the females have not obviously one, the males will display their best colours and some interesting behaviour as they compete with one other for females attention.

The dwarf red rasbora is endemic to Lake Inle which is situated in a valley where the rocks form a karst and which lies 900m above sea level in the Shan Plateau region of Shan State. Within the lake this species can be found in the midwater and in the marginal waters of Lake Inle where it is associated with submerged vegetation and forms large schools.