Moderate

Chili Rasbora

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Boraras brigittae

Complete Chili Rasbora care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 5 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Chili Rasbora

Quick Answer

Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is a miniature fish from Indonesian blackwater streams. It requires a minimum 5 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 5.5 - 7.0 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the top/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is a miniature fish from Indonesian blackwater streams. Its brilliant red body with a dark horizontal stripe makes it a jewel for planted nano aquariums.

Setup

A 5-gallon or larger tank with dense planting, driftwood, and leaf litter. They prefer soft, acidic water. Low flow is essential as they struggle against strong currents.

Feeding

Micro foods only: baby brine shrimp, microworms, crushed flakes, and powdered pellets. Feed tiny amounts twice daily.

Compatibility

Very peaceful. Keep in groups of 10+. Tankmates must be equally tiny and gentle: Celestial Pearl Danios, Pygmy Corydoras, Neocaridina shrimp.

Tank Position
Top/Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
5.5 - 7.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Chili Rasboras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 12 to 15 individuals in a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 liters) with a footprint of 20x10 inches (50x25 cm). Chili rasboras (Boraras brigittae) are tiny (under 0.7 inches/1.8 cm) and require large groups for security; groups under 8 cause chronic hiding and stress. A school of 20+ displays their intense red coloration and natural shoaling behavior. Provide dense planting (Java moss, Hydrocotyle) and dark substrate. Tank height should not exceed 12 inches (30 cm) as they stay near the surface. Avoid large tank mates that will prey on them.
What are the exact water parameters for Chili Rasboras?
Target pH 5.5 - 6.5 (optimal 6.0), General Hardness 1 - 5 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 1 - 3 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 30 - 100 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 60 - 200 μS/cm, and temperature 73°F - 82°F (23°C - 28°C). They require soft, acidic blackwater conditions; hard water (dGH >8) causes kidney failure. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 20% water changes using RO water. Add Indian almond leaves (1 per 3 gallons) and peat filtration. Use a sponge filter with very low flow. pH must be stable; avoid alkaline substrates.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Chili Rasboras?
They are micro-predators with extremely small mouths, requiring 45% protein, 12% fat, 43% plant matter. Feed crushed powder flakes, specialized micro-pellets (0.2 mm), live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and frozen cyclops 3 times daily. They ignore larger foods. Offer spirulina powder weekly. Medication alert: Highly sensitive to copper (0.1 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <2 ppt). Quarantine with methylene blue at half-dose.
How to breed Chili Rasboras in captivity?
Condition 15-20 fish with live baby brine shrimp and blackworms for 3 weeks. Set up a 5-gallon (19 liter) breeding tank with 3 inches (7.5 cm) of RO water (pH 6.0, 1 dGH, 78°F/25.5°C), a spawning mop, and java moss. Cover tank sides to create darkness. Simulate dawn with a very dim LED. Spawning occurs in absolute darkness; female releases 50-100 eggs. Remove parents after 6 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-30 hours. Fry are 0.05 inches (1.2 mm); require green water (Nannochloropsis) for 7 days, then paramecium, then baby brine shrimp after day 12. Extremely difficult.

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