
Lambchop Rasbora
Trigonostigma espei
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: Various
Lambchop Rasbora (Trigonostigma espei) is a peaceful barb reaching 1.5 inches. Keep in groups of 8+. Minimum tank size: 5 gallons.
Is Lambchop Rasbora Right for Your Tank?
Lambchop Rasbora is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 5 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.
With a peaceful temperament, Lambchop Rasbora makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 8 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 2 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Lambchop Rasbora
Keeping fewer than 8 together
Lambchop Rasbora is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 8 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Relying on a heater without a thermometer
Lambchop Rasbora needs 73–82°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.
Putting them in a tank under 5 gallons
While 5 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (8 gal) is much more forgiving.
Care Tips
- • Max size: 1.5 inches
- • Temperature: 73-82°F
- • pH: 5.5-7
- • Schooling — keep 8+ together
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Cyprinidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Cyprinidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 8 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 8+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- pH Range
- 5.5–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Cyprinidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 2 years
Ideal For
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