Edit Trigonostigma espei

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Name

Scientific name

Trigonostigma espei

Described by

Authority Meinken, Year 1967

Family

Cyprinidae

Summary

The lambchop rasbora, Trigonostigma espei, is a small cyprinid from southwestern and southeastern Thailand, reaching into southwestern Camb…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

30mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 23–28°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Thailand

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

There appear to be two main populations of this species, one in the far southwest of Thailand and the other in the southeast of the country around the border w…

Habitat

Varies with locality. It most commonly inhabits gently flowing sections of forest streams and tributaries where submerged aquatic plants grow thickly. The wate…

Varies with locality. It most commonly inhabits gently flowing sections of forest streams and tributaries where submerged aquatic plants grow thickly. The water is sometimes stained faintly brown/yellow due to the presence of tannins and other chemicals released by decomposing organic matter and the substrate scattered with fallen leaves, twigs and branches.

Such environments characteristically contain soft, weakly acidic to neutral water and are often dimly-lit due to dense marginal vegetation and the forest canopy above.

In Krabi province, southern Thailand it can be found living in a particular karstic (limestone) area with neutral to alkaline water (pH 7.0-7.4). The habitat consists of a series of deep limestone sinkholes forming pools at the surface, plus a small ditch which acts as an overflow from the pools.

The water is very clear and is tinted a bright blue/green colour due to reflection of light from the high levels of calcium carbonate it contains. These ponds are also significant because they represent the only known locality where Betta simplex can be found.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Aquarium size

Aquarium base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 in or equivalent should be the smallest considered since this species should be maintained in numbers.

Maintenance

Choice of decor is not especially critical although it tends to show better colouration when maintained in a well-furnished set-up with a dark substrate, and i…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably a micropredator feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it's easily-fed but the best condition …

Behaviour and compatibility

This species is very peaceful indeed making it an ideal resident of the well-maintained community tank. As it places no extreme demands in terms of water chemi…

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are usually rounder-bellied and often a little larger than the slimmer, more colourful males. An alternative method of sexing is to examine the …

Reproduction

This species exhibits no parental care although it does utilise a different spawning method to most small cyprinids as the eggs are attached to the underside o…

Notes

T. espei is sometimes referred to by the alternative vernacular names 'false harlequin' or 'Espe's rasbora'. It can be confused with the similar-looking T. het…

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References