Why is my Chili Rasbora pale?

Loss of colour is usually a sign of stress. This can be caused by inadequate water parameters, insufficient shoaling numbers (fewer than 8), overly bright lighting, or a lack of cover. A diet lacking in varied, high-quality live or frozen foods can also cause their red colouration to fade.

Will Chili Rasboras eat baby cherry shrimp?

They are one of the safest fish to keep with shrimp. While a Chili Rasbora might opportunistically eat a freshly hatched shrimp if it perfectly fits in its mouth, their mouths are incredibly small. The vast majority of baby shrimp will survive, especially if moss is provided.

How many Chili Rasboras can I keep in a 30-litre tank?

In a well-filtered and densely planted 30-litre aquarium, you can comfortably house a shoal of 10 to 15 Chili Rasboras, provided you keep on top of routine maintenance.

Do Chili Rasboras need a heater?

Yes, they are tropical fish originating from Southeast Asia and require a consistent water temperature between 20°C and 28°C to thrive.

Can I feed them standard fish flakes?

You can, but the flakes must be crushed into a fine powder before feeding, as their mouths are too small to tackle standard-sized flakes. Micro-pellets or specialized nano foods are a better staple.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Chili Rasbora

Boraras brigittae

The Chili Rasbora is a spectacular, ruby-red nano fish native to the blackwater peat swamps of Borneo, prized by aquascapers and shrimp keepers alike.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 28 °C
pH range: 4 – 7
Hardness: 1 – 10 dGH
Adult size: 1.5 – 2 cm
Nano tank: 30 litres+
Lifespan: 4 – 8 years
Diet: Micro-predator
Water flow: Low
Preferred setup: Densely planted, leaf litter, driftwood, dim lighting.

About the Chili Rasbora

Reaching no more than 2 cm in length, the Chili Rasbora (*Boraras brigittae*) is one of the smallest and most brightly coloured fish in the aquarium trade. Their vivid red colouration, highlighted by a bold black lateral stripe, provides a stunning contrast against the greenery of a planted aquarium. Due to their diminutive size and incredibly peaceful demeanour, they are highly sought after as the perfect companion for freshwater dwarf shrimp. When kept in suitably large shoals, they exhibit fascinating social dynamics, with males engaging in harmless, display-heavy sparring matches to establish dominance.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Chili Rasbora comes from

Native range

South Kalimantan

Countries / regions

Indonesia

Habitat

Blackwater peat swamp forests and associated slow-moving streams.

Found exclusively in the southwest of the island of Borneo, heavily associated with highly acidic peat swamps.

Similar species

Phoenix Rasbora
Boraras merah
Dwarf Rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Chili Rasboras are too small to pose a serious threat to adult or juvenile shrimp, making them an ideal dither fish for shrimp breeding colonies.
Great
Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Both are peaceful nano species that occupy different levels of the aquarium, ensuring zero competition for space.
Great
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus spp.
A completely peaceful algae grazer that shares similar water parameter requirements and will not bother the tiny rasboras.
Great
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
While visually striking together, some Betta fish may view these micro rasboras as food or chase them relentlessly, requiring a heavily planted tank to succeed.
Compatible with caution
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Larger, more boisterous mid-water shoaling fish can easily outcompete the timid Chili Rasbora for food.
Compatible with caution
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Adult angelfish will easily fit a Chili Rasbora in their mouths and will actively hunt them.
Not recommended

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