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Species profile

Dwarf Rasbora

Boraras maculatus

Common names: Dwarf Rasbora, Spotted Rasbora, Pygmy Rasbora, Dwarf

Recognized speciesRasboras

Adult size

Up to 2.5 cm

Up to 2.5 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Indonesia
  • See all stock from Malaysia
  • See all stock from Singapore
  • See all stock from Thailand

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
  • A small, well-kept nano tank
  • A keeper with room for a proper group of 10 or more

Think carefully if

  • Your tap water is hard and you do not want to treat it
  • You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 6 or more
  • Your tank is newly set up

A miniature red rasbora with dark spots, from blackwater streams in Southeast Asia, at only about 2.5 cm. Keep a group of at least 6 in 40 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A miniature red rasbora with dark spots, from blackwater streams in Southeast Asia, at only about 2.5 cm. It needs soft, acidic water and suits a planted nano tank.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, and males are usually slimmer and often brighter.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 80–120 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 50–75 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
40 litres
Minimum tank length
45 cm
Minimum group size
6
Recommended group size
10
Activity level
Active
Flow preference
Low
Planting preference
Moderately planted
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Moderate

A long tank with open swimming water, plants around the edges and steady filtration suits this fish. A darker substrate and some floating plants usually bring out its colour.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Active and social, and most settled when kept with its own kind.

Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can. Larger groups are calmer and show better colour and behaviour.

Not territorial, although males may spar and display.

Suits a community of similar-sized, peaceful fish that like the same water. Avoid large predators, which will treat it as food. It may eat baby shrimp.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
20–28 °C
pH
4–6.5
GH
1–5
Stability importance
Very important

Needs soft, acidic water.

Parameter caveat
Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.

Feeding

Diet types
Herbivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Spirulina or algae wafersShould make up much of the diet.
  • Blanched vegetablesCourgette, cucumber and peas work well. Remove leftovers within a day.
  • Small frozen foodsAn occasional addition for protein.

A tiny micropredator that needs very fine foods such as baby brine shrimp, cyclops and crushed flake.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type
Egg Scatterer
Breeding difficulty
Moderate
Parental care
None
Baby foods
  • InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand
Natural habitat
Blackwater, Freshwater Stream, River, Swamp
Aquarium contexts
Nano Aquarium
Audience level
Intermediate

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Boraras
Family
Danionidae
Species group
Fish, Rasboras

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