Chili Rasbora care guide
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-28 °C, pH 4.5-7. Peaceful middle-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is among the smallest aquarium fishes available, with males rarely exceeding 2 cm. The body is a vivid scarlet broken by a dark lateral stripe. It is best displayed in large groups in heavily planted nano tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Boraras
- Scientific name: Boraras brigittae
- Common synonyms: Mosquito Rasbora
Habitat
Endemic to the blackwater streams and pools of peat swamp forests in south-western Borneo, Indonesia. The water is typically tea-coloured by tannins, very soft and acidic, with abundant leaf litter, submerged wood and dense aquatic vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 1.5-2 cm
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 4.5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥10 individuals
Diet
A micropredator that consumes small insects, worms, crustaceans and zooplankton in the wild. In aquaria offer micro-pellets, finely crushed flake and small live or frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia, microworms and freshly hatched brine shrimp.
Compatibility
Peaceful but shy; keep in groups of at least ten with similarly small, slow-moving tank mates such as Ember Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Pygmy Corydoras and dwarf shrimp. Larger or active fish will outcompete the species for food and cause persistent stress.
Breeding
Boraras brigittae is a continuous egg-scatterer. In a heavily planted, mature tank with soft, acidic water a small number of fry typically survive without intervention. For targeted breeding, transfer adults to a dedicated tank with mosses or fine-leaved plants and remove them after spawning.
Chili Rasbora Breeding Guide
Overview
Boraras brigittae is one of the smallest aquarium fishes, with typical specimens measuring 10-20 mm and the largest recorded reaching about 3.1 cm. It is endemic to the blackwater streams and peat-swamp pools of south-west Borneo, Indonesia, and feeds as a micropredator on small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton. It is an egg-scattering species that shows no parental care: conditioned adults lay relatively small numbers of eggs daily rather than in a single large spawn, and although they will eat some eggs they do not actively hunt them.
Sexing
Females are noticeably rounder-bellied and often larger than males. Males display more attractive colouration, with dominant individuals showing intense red hues.
Breeding Setup
A 10-15 litre dimly lit container works well. Use a bare base with a mesh that lets eggs pass through but blocks the adults, or plastic grass matting, or fill about half the space with java moss. A small air-powered sponge filter is optional. Suitable water is soft and acidic at pH 5.0-6.5 and 1-5 degrees hardness, with the temperature toward the upper end of the range (around 28 C).
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce two or three well-conditioned pairs per container; spawning typically begins the following morning. Eggs are scattered into the moss or onto the substrate. Remove the adults after about two days to limit egg consumption.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch within about two days, and the fry live on their yolk sacs for around a further day. First food is Paramecium or other microscopic organisms; after 7-10 days they accept Artemia nauplii and microworm. Delay water changes for one to two weeks to avoid shocking the young.
Common Challenges
The minute size of the fry demands very small first foods, and because spawning is continuous in small batches, a dedicated, undisturbed container gives the best survival.