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EveryFish
Rasboroides vaterifloris

Vateria Flower Rasbora

Small freshwater fish from Sri Lanka streams

Photo: Rupert A. Collins, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Vateria Flower Rasbora is a tiny cyprinid fish native to Sri Lanka. It lives in shaded, slow-moving streams with silt bottoms and leaf litter. This species reaches four centimetres in length and feeds on detritus and insects. It is popular in the aquarium trade but faces threats in its limited range.

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  • Endemic to Sri Lanka
  • Max length 4 cm
  • Found in Kalu River basin
  • Eats detritus and insects
  • Popular in aquarium trade

What it is

This small freshwater fish belongs to the carp family. It grows to a maximum length of four centimetres. The body is adapted for life in clear, shallow waters. Its common names include Pearly Rasbora and Fire Rasbora. It is a cyprinid species found only in Sri Lanka. The fish prefers environments with plenty of natural cover.

Where it lives

The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. Recent studies restrict its range to the Kalu River basin. Earlier beliefs placed it in several river basins, but taxonomic reviews corrected this. A 2018 study confirmed that a similar species was actually the same fish. This finding expanded its known presence within the Kalu basin. It remains more threatened than wider-ranging relatives.

How it lives

It inhabits slow-flowing streams with silt bottoms. Shaded areas with abundant leaf debris are preferred habitats. The diet consists mainly of detritus found on the stream bed. Terrestrial insects falling into the water also provide food. This feeding behaviour suits its calm, sheltered environment. It shares its habitat with other related rasbora species.

Vateria Flower Rasbora
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

Aquarium enthusiasts keep this species in home tanks. Its small size and peaceful nature make it suitable for community setups. The fish is traded internationally for ornamental purposes. Local populations rely on healthy stream ecosystems for its survival. Conservation efforts help maintain the clarity and flow of its native waters.

Status and threats

The fish faces greater threats than widespread relatives like R. pallidus. Its restricted range in the Kalu River basin increases vulnerability. Habitat degradation could impact local populations significantly. Taxonomic confusion previously obscured its true distribution. Current understanding highlights its limited geographic spread.

Questions people ask about Vateria Flower Rasbora

Where does the Vateria Flower Rasbora live?

It is found in the Kalu River basin in Sri Lanka. The fish prefers shallow, shaded streams with slow flow and silt bottoms.

What does this fish eat?

Its diet consists of detritus and terrestrial insects. It forages in areas with plentiful leaf debris in clear streams.

How big does it get?

This species reaches a maximum total length of four centimetres. It is a small fish suitable for nano aquariums.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rasboroides vaterifloris", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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