Scissortail Rasbora

The Scissortail Rasbora is a slender, silvery cyprinid native to rivers, lakes, and swamps across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo. It is named for the distinctive black-and-white markings on its forked tail, which appear to open and close scissor-like as the fish swims. Larger than many popular aquarium rasboras, it is valued in the hobby for its active swimming behavior and striking tail pattern. The species remains widespread and common throughout its native range across mainland and insular Southeast Asia and is not considered at conservation risk.

The Scissortail Rasbora has an elongated, slender body reaching 10-15 cm, larger than most rasbora species.

• Body: Silvery with a subtle golden or greenish sheen along the back
• Tail: Deeply forked, each lobe marked with a bold black bar edged in white
• Fins: Otherwise translucent to pale yellow
• Shape: Slim, streamlined, with an upturned mouth suited to surface feeding

Its distinctive black-and-white tail markings, which move independently as it swims, readily distinguish it from other silvery rasboras lacking this scissor-like tail pattern.

Scissortail Rasboras inhabit slow to moderately flowing rivers, swamps, and lakes across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo. They favor open water with some current, often schooling near the surface or mid-water column in search of food. Water in their native range tends to be warm, soft, and slightly acidic to neutral, typical of lowland tropical waterways. They are found in both clear and turbid waters, frequently in areas with marginal vegetation and submerged structure that provide cover, while still favoring open water for active swimming and surface feeding.

Scissortail Rasboras are active, fast-swimming schooling fish that spend much of their time near the surface and mid-water column, using their scissor-like tail movements while cruising for food. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, small invertebrates, and plant matter, often snapping at prey near the water's surface. Schooling behavior is strong and provides protection from predators in open water habitats. As egg-scattering spawners, they release non-adhesive eggs over vegetation or open substrate with no parental care, and spawning is believed to be triggered by seasonal rains and rising water levels. Their constant activity and open-water preference make them conspicuous, fast-moving members of their native river and lake communities.