Chinese Bitterling
Rhodeus ocellatus
Cyprinidae
Moderate
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
18-24 °C
pH
6.5-7
Size
9.2 cm
Lifespan
5 years
Min tank80 L
Price$$$
DietOmnivore
TemperamentPeaceful
OriginEast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan)
Shrimp-safeYes
Care guide
The Chinese bitterling is a temperate-zone cyprinid from the slow-moving rivers and ponds of East Asia, reaching 9.2 cm standard length. It shows a silvery flank with a greenish-blue sheen that intensifies in dominant males during breeding season. What makes the group famous is their unusual spawning partnership with freshwater unionid mussels.
This is not a tropical fish. Bitterlings need cool water in the 18–24 °C range. An 80-litre tank with moderate planting suits a small group of six. The pH should be neutral to slightly acidic (6.5–7.0). They are omnivorous and take flake foods readily.
Chinese bitterlings are peaceful and mix well with other cool-water species. Males develop rosy fins during breeding season. Availability is seasonal.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (5)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dwarf rasbora Boraras maculatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Red Cherry Rasbora Rasbora lacrimula Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Sawbwa barb Sawbwa resplendens Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Strawberry Rasbora Boraras naevus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
7 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black ruby barb Pethia nigrofasciata Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Cherry barb Puntius titteya Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Clown rasbora Rasbora kalochroma Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Garra Garra flavatra Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow shiner Notropis chrosomus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Reticulated Sae Crossocheilus reticulatus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Slender Bitterling Tanakia himantegus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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