Chili rasbora
Boraras brigittae
One of the smallest aquarium fish at under an inch: bright red with a dark stripe, made for planted nano tanks with shrimp.
Key facts
- Body length
- 0.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 8+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, crushed flakes
- Origin
- Southwestern Borneo, Indonesia
- Hardier than67%
- Bigger than2%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Chili rasbora tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- Peacock cichlidMalawi butterfly peacock attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- Rainbow sharkRainbow shark attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Chili rasbora.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Chili rasbora: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for chili rasboras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 2 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 0.14 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.26 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 8+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle, top
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Boraras brigittae · FishBase: Boraras brigittae
Care notes
Chili rasboras come from blackwater peat swamps of southwestern Borneo. Males may hold small spawning spots for a while, but the group stays peaceful.
Keep eight to ten in a 10 gallon tank or larger with gentle flow and soft, acidic water. They are shy and need tiny food, and they get along well with dwarf shrimp.
Questions
What size tank does a chili rasbora need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 0.8 inches without fins.
How many chili rasboras should be kept together?
Keep at least 8, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do chili rasboras need?
77–82 °F, pH 6.5–7 and 1–10 dGH. Chili rasboras come from Southwestern Borneo, Indonesia.
How long do chili rasboras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with chili rasboras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.