Fish comparison
Harlequin Rasbora vs Indian Glass Fish
How the Harlequin Rasbora and Indian Glass Fish compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Harlequin Rasbora vs Indian Glass Fish
The Harlequin Rasbora and the Indian Glass Fish come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Harlequin Rasbora is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Indian Glass Fish rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Harlequin Rasbora needs less room to feel settled; give the Indian Glass Fish the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Harlequin Rasbora22–28 °C
- Indian Glass Fish20–28 °C
pH
- Harlequin Rasbora5.5–7.5
- Indian Glass Fish7–8
Hardness
- Harlequin Rasbora2–12 dGH
- Indian Glass Fish8–20 dGH
What to plan for
- Harlequin Rasbora schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 harlequin rasbora. Harlequin Rasbora need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Indian Glass Fish schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 indian glass fish. Indian Glass Fish need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishHarlequin RasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha |  FishIndian Glass FishParambassis ranga |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra | India, Bangladesh, Myanmar |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Ambassidae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 | 7.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–12 | 8–20 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 60 L | 75 L |
| Adult size | 4–5 cm | 6–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 5–8 yrs | 3–5 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | No (eats shrimp) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Harlequin Rasbora and Indian Glass Fish together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Harlequin Rasbora or the Indian Glass Fish?
The Harlequin Rasbora is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Indian Glass Fish leans beginner-friendly.
Do Harlequin Rasbora and Indian Glass Fish need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 7 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Harlequin Rasbora and the Indian Glass Fish?
Space. The Harlequin Rasbora wants about 60 litres minimum and the Indian Glass Fish around 75, so tank size can settle it.