About 8–11 — based on adult size, bioload, and real water volume.

In a 20-gallon tank you can comfortably keep about 8–11 harlequin rasbora — enough for a proper school, on their own with good filtration and regular water changes. Add fewer if you're mixing in other species.
An adult harlequin rasbora reaches about 2.0" and has a low bioload. Working from real water volume and waste output (not the old one-inch-per-gallon myth), a 20-gallon tank supports roughly 8–11 of them. Because harlequin rasbora are schooling fish, keep them in a group of at least 8 — never just one or two. They need 73–82°F water at pH 6–7.5.
Build your exact stocking with the calculator → Full harlequin rasbora care guide →
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