Light’s Bitterling (Rhodeus lighti) – Elegant River Mussel Brooder

Product Description & Care Instructions

Light’s Bitterling is a charming and compact freshwater fish native to rivers from the Amur basin to southern China. Reaching up to around 7.2 cm (2.8 inches) in length, it prefers cool, temperate waters—ranging between 10–25 °C (50–77 °F), making it ideal for cold-water community aquariums 

What makes this species particularly fascinating is its breeding behavior: females lay eggs inside living bivalve mussels using their specialized ovipositors. The eggs then develop protected within the mussel until the fry are strong enough to swim freely 

Care Tips:

• Maintain water temperature between 10–25 °C, with secure oxygenation and clean conditions for their comfort.

• These peaceful little fish thrive in groups of 6 or more, encouraging natural shoaling activity.

• Incorporate live freshwater mussels into the tank if breeding is a priority; otherwise, keep them in a well-filtered, planted setup that mimics slow-flowing habitat.

• As omnivores, offer a varied diet of fine flake food, micro-pellets, and occasional live or frozen treats like daphnia or brine shrimp.