Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Also called Mosquito rasbora, Red rasbora, Moskitobärbling
From Southern and south-western Borneo (Kalimantan), Indonesia; peat swamp blackwater streams and pools123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Typical adult size 1-2 cm (Seriously Fish max 2 cm SL); FishBase records a maximum of 3.5 cm total length
Wikipedia gives up to 8 years with good care
Looks how to spot one
Miniature, slender scaled cyprinid
A tiny, slim fish that stays around 2 cm. The body ranges from rusty orange to vivid red, with a dark stripe along the side that is often broken into pieces, and red spots on the tail and on parts of the dorsal and anal fins. Males are the brighter, fiery red sex, females are more orange and slightly fuller.134
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and somewhat shy. It relaxes and colours up when kept in a group with other small, gentle fish.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A calm swimmer that tends to stay in the lower and middle parts of the tank; it appreciates dense planting with some open space.14
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep water soft, clean and stable with regular small water changes. A dark substrate and plants help it show its best colour.14
Home where they are happiest
A minimum footprint of about 45 x 30 cm (roughly 40 litres) suits a group. Temperature 20-28 °C (German Wikipedia suggests 24-28 °C), pH 4.0-7.0, hardness 1-10 dGH. A heavily planted tank with leaf litter and gentle flow mirrors its blackwater home.142
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A micropredator eating tiny insects, worms and crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium it accepts small flakes and granules, plus small live or frozen foods like Daphnia and Artemia.13
Company who they like around
A schooling fish best kept in groups of 8-10 or more. Suitable tankmates are other very small, calm species, shy anabantoids and dwarf shrimp.1
The story where it all began
Dieter Vogt described the species in 1978 and named it after his wife, Brigitte. It was later placed in the genus Boraras, created in 1993 to hold a small group of miniature rasboras split off from Rasbora.3215
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The scientific name honours Brigitte, the wife of the fish's describer Dieter Vogt.3
- 2
Its German name, Moskitobärbling, refers both to its tiny size and to the collectors being badly bitten by mosquitoes while catching the fish.4
- 3
Females lay up to around 50 eggs on the undersides of leaves, and the larvae hatch after about 48 hours.2
- 4
It is a classic example of miniaturisation, reaching adulthood at under about 2 cm long.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Assessed as Data Deficient (February 2019)2
- FishBase
- Described by Vogt in 19782
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Chili Rasbora. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Chili Rasbora?
Feed your Chili Rasbora small amounts once or twice daily. They are micropredators that enjoy tiny live or frozen foods like Daphnia and Artemia, but will also take small flakes and granules. Follow the food label for portion sizes and consult a vet if unsure.13 Furry Diary plan
What does a Chili Rasbora eat, and what should it never eat?
Chili Rasboras are micropredators that eat tiny insects, worms and crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium they accept small flakes, granules, and live or frozen foods like Daphnia and Artemia. For foods to avoid, it varies; ask a vet or good breeder for specific guidance.13
How much space does a Chili Rasbora need?
A group of Chili Rasboras needs a tank with a minimum footprint of about 45 by 30 centimetres, which is roughly 40 litres. They are calm swimmers and appreciate dense planting with open space.142
What temperature, light or water does a Chili Rasbora need?
Keep the water temperature between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, with a pH of 4.0 to 7.0 and hardness of 1 to 10 dGH. They prefer soft, clean, stable water with gentle flow and a heavily planted tank with leaf litter. Furry Diary's plan includes daily temperature checks and weekly water tests.142 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Chili Rasbora's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 25% water change every week, along with cleaning the glass weekly. Rinse the filter in old tank water once a month. Regular small water changes keep the water soft and stable.14 Furry Diary plan
Can a Chili Rasbora live with others?
Yes, Chili Rasboras are peaceful schooling fish that do best in groups of 8 to 10 or more. They can live with other very small, calm fish, shy anabantoids, and dwarf shrimp. Avoid larger or boisterous tankmates.1
How long does a Chili Rasbora live?
With proper care, a Chili Rasbora can live up to 8 years. Keeping them in a stable, well-planted tank with good water quality helps them reach their full lifespan.3
Can I handle a Chili Rasbora?
Chili Rasboras are very small and delicate fish, so handling is not recommended. If you need to move them, use a soft net and minimize stress. For specific handling advice, consult a vet or experienced breeder.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish - Boraras brigittae seriouslyfish.comused for origin, size, water parameters, care, diet, behaviour, taxonomy
- FishBase - Boraras brigittae fishbase.seused for author/year, IUCN status, size, breeding, water parameters
- Wikipedia - Chili rasbora en.wikipedia.orgused for lifespan, size, etymology, colours, habitat
- Wikipedia (de) - Moskitobärbling de.wikipedia.orgused for German name origin, colour details, aquarium parameters
- Wikipedia - Boraras en.wikipedia.orgused for genus history
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.