Lambchop Rasbora
Trigonostigma espei
Also known as Espes Rasbora, Lambchop
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A slim, peach-colored schooling rasbora with a thin black mark shaped like a lamb chop. It is very peaceful, has no extreme water demands, and suits a well-kept community of small fish. A lovely, slightly smaller alternative to the classic harlequin for planted tanks.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 14 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 73–82 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 or more
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Lambchop Rasbora tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopsis pumila
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Trichopodus leerii
Pearl Gourami is much larger than Lambchop Rasbora and may frighten or even eat it.
Sewellia lineolata
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Lambchop Rasbora.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Lambchop Rasbora feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed small flakes or micro pellets as a staple.
- Add live or frozen daphnia and baby brine shrimp for condition.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are usually rounder in the belly and a little larger than the slimmer, more colorful males.
Lambchop Rasbora care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep the school together. A handful of fish will hide and lose their color.
- Avoid boisterous tank mates that outcompete it at feeding time.
- Use plants and shaded areas, which bring out its best peach and copper tones.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons.
Lambchop Rasbora tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 14 US gal (54 L), 60 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Lambchop Rasbora. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 29 Gallon US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29?). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Lambchop Rasbora, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Lambchop Rasbora's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 73–82 °F (23–28 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateDecor is not critical; a dark substrate shows its colour best.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorWood roots and branches that make shady spots, dried leaves and floating plants suit it.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Lambchop Rasbora
We have not found a store that sells Lambchop Rasbora under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Lambchop Rasbora FAQ
What size tank do Lambchop Rasboras need?
Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons (54 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Lambchop Rasboras should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Lambchop Rasboras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Honey Gourami. Avoid White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Endler's Livebearer.
How long do Lambchop Rasboras live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Can lambchop rasboras live with a betta?
Often yes in a larger planted tank, because they are calm and short-finned. Watch closely, as every betta has its own temperament.
Lambchop Rasbora facts and sources
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- Thailand and Cambodia
- Adult size
- 1.2 in (3 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Micro-Predator
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Difficult in Home Tanks
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.