Chili rasbora
Tiny red and black fish from Borneo swamps kept in aquariums.
The chili rasbora is a minute ray-finned fish native to Indonesian peat swamps. It is widely kept by hobbyists for its bright colouring and diminutive size.
- Maximum length reaches 31 mm.
- Endemic to Borneo peat swamps.
- Named after Dieter Vogt's wife.
- Lives up to 8 years in aquaria.
- Distinct black stripe on red body.
What it is
This species belongs to the ray-finned fish group within the family Danionidae. Adults measure between ten and twenty millimetres, with a maximum recorded length of thirty-one millimetres. The body displays a base hue ranging from light rusty orange-red to vibrant red. A distinct black stripe runs along the lateral line, which is the sensory organ detecting water movement. Males are smaller and more brightly coloured than females. Females possess rounder bellies and exhibit lighter tones compared to their male counterparts.
Where it lives
The chili rasbora is endemic to South West Borneo in Indonesia. Its natural habitat consists of blackwater streams and pools located within peat swamp forests. These waters are typically dark due to tannins leached from decaying vegetation. The fish is restricted to this specific region and is not found naturally elsewhere.
How it lives
Members of this genus act as micro-predators. Their diet comprises small insects, worms, crustaceans, and various zooplankton. In aquarium environments, they accept pellets, frozen food, flakes, young brine shrimp, and worms. They thrive in settings that mimic their natural blackwater conditions. With proper care, individuals can live for up to eight years.
Breeding and life cycle
Information regarding specific spawning behaviours, egg characteristics, or juvenile growth patterns is not provided in the available sources.
Fish and people
This fish is popular in the aquarium trade due to its small size and colourful appearance. Hobbyists keep them in tanks that resemble their native blackwater habitats. They are fed a variety of foods including pellets, flakes, and live or frozen organisms.
Status and threats
The provided sources do not contain information regarding the conservation status, threats such as overfishing or pollution, or any protection measures for this species. Therefore, no assessment of its population health or endangerment level can be made from the given material.
Questions people ask about Chili rasbora
What is the scientific name of the chili rasbora?
The scientific name is Boraras brigittae. It was described by Dieter Vogt, who named the species in honour of his wife, Brigitte. It belongs to the family Danionidae.
Where does the chili rasbora live naturally?
It is endemic to South West Borneo in Indonesia. It inhabits blackwater streams and pools within peat swamp forests. These waters are characterised by dark tannins from decaying plant matter.
How big does the chili rasbora get?
Most individuals range between ten and twenty millimetres in length. The largest known specimen had a total length of thirty-one millimetres. This makes it one of the smallest aquarium fish species.
What do chili rasboras eat?
They are micro-predators feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans, and zooplankton. In captivity, they accept pellets, frozen food, flakes, young brine shrimp, and worms.
Good reading and sources
- Boraras brigittae on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Boraras brigittae", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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