Chili Rasbora care guide
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 20-28 °C, pH 4.5-7. Peaceful middle-water species.
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.