- Sku: SQ-CHILIRASBORA
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
The Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae), also called the Mosquito Rasbora, is one of the smallest schooling fish in the hobby, topping out around three quarters of an inch. Males color up a deep chili red with a dark stripe, and a group in a dim, planted tank is a standout. Peaceful but shy, it is an intermediate pick that does best in soft water with other tiny fish. Browse our freshwater livestock and supplies to build the scape.
Care Guide
- Group size: 10 or more. Bigger groups are bolder and show better color.
- Tank size: 10 gallons or larger, about an 18 by 12 inch footprint.
- Water parameters: 68 to 82°F, pH 4.0 to 7.0, soft water (1 to 10 dGH). Stability matters more than hitting an exact number.
- Feeding: micropredator with a tiny mouth. Feed Hikari Micro Pellets or Xtreme Nano pellets, plus baby brine shrimp or daphnia several times a week. Do not feed dry food only.
- Flow: gentle. They come from sluggish water and struggle in a strong current, so a sponge filter or a baffled outlet works best.
- Aquascape: dense planting such as Java moss, floaters like Red Root Floater, driftwood, dim light and catappa leaves for soft, tea-stained water.
Specifications
| Scientific name | Boraras brigittae |
| Common names | Chili Rasbora, Mosquito Rasbora |
| Care level | Intermediate |
| Temperament | Peaceful, timid |
| Max size | About 0.8 inch |
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons |
| Temperature | 68 to 82°F |
| pH | 4.0 to 7.0 (soft, 1 to 10 dGH) |
| Diet | Micropredator, very small foods |
| Origin | Southwestern Borneo (Kalimantan, Indonesia), blackwater peat swamp streams and pools |
| Pickup | In-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics |
Compatibility
Best with other tiny, gentle species: Green Neon Tetras, Kubotai Rasboras, otocinclus, shy small gouramis, and dwarf shrimp like Cherry Shrimp. Because they are so small and timid, they are not a good fit for a busy general community tank. Keep them away from anything large or boisterous enough to outcompete them at feeding time.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Hikari Micro Pellets as a small-mouthed staple
- Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp for color and conditioning
- Fritz Catappa Leaves for soft, blackwater-style conditions
- Java Moss for cover
- API Freshwater Master Test Kit to keep parameters steady
FAQ
How small do they get?
About 0.8 inch as adults, which makes them one of the tiniest schooling fish you can keep.
Why are mine not very red?
Color builds over a few weeks in soft water with dim light, cover and a varied diet of small live or frozen foods. Males show the deepest red.
Can they live with shrimp?
Yes. Their mouths are too small to bother adult dwarf shrimp, so they are a good match for a shrimp tank.
Have a question?
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)
