Tag: Fishkeeping

In 25+ years of keeping bettas, I’ve been asked this question more times than I can count — and the honest answer is: it depends. A betta will absolutely eat a small cherry shrimp if it can catch one. But pair that same betta with a tank full of dense plants and some larger amano shrimp, and they can coexist just fine. I’ve kept both successfully and unsuccessfully, and in this guide I’ll share exactly what makes the difference.

In my previous article, I shared the best tank mates for the betta fish, and many novice betta keepers wondered, “Will Bettas eat shrimp?” And so, in this article, I will answer this question.

Will Bettas Eat Shrimp?

Betta fish or the Siamese fighting fish is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish that are famous for its ethereal fins and flamboyant colors. However, anyone that owns a betta fish, knows that they are quite aggressive towards other fish species. That’s the main reason, betta fish is popularly used for fish fights. But, their aggressive nature has made aquarists think, “Can betta fish live with shrimp?”

The answer is a yes and a no, both. I’ll go into further detail in our blog and have included a video from our official YouTube channel just for you. Bettas will attempt to eat shrimp that are small. There are larger shrimp like bamboos that can coexist. Let’s go into further detail starting with your Betta’s behavior.

Behavior

Bettas are voracious eaters that are also carnivorous. It means betta fish is fond of live food, whatever is available to them. Betta fish won’t even spare their sick or injured tank mates. Therefore, adding shrimp and bettas in the same tank might seem way too adventurous.

Therefore, in this article, I’ll list all the compatible shrimps for your betta fish in the same tank.

Best Companions

Bettas are known to prey on most freshwater shrimp such as cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, crystal red shrimp, bumblebee shrimp, and other baby shrimp that are an easy catch for your betta fish.

Therefore, not every shrimp is compatible with your betta fish. When choosing a perfect shrimp for your betta tank, always notice the size of your shrimp. Smaller shrimp tend to be the favorite prey for your betta fish. Thus, choose a shrimp that is exactly the same size as your betta fish, if not bigger.

Cherries

The riskiest type of shrimp in your betta tank would be cherry shrimp. That’s because they are small in size with the female cherry shrimp growing about only a foot in length while males tend to grow a bit larger. Either way, the chances of your cherry shrimp being eaten by your betta fish are always very high.

But what if, even after all these warnings, you want to keep your betta fish and red shrimp together? Well, fortunately, you can. And if you think your bettas will get along with the cherry shrimp, the first thing you should do is introduce them to the tank.

Here are some tips to get your bettas and cherry shrimp to live together.

Make sure your fish are already living together

If your betta fish has never been introduced to a shrimp, chances are they will attack them right away.

Thus, in order to keep them in harmony, I suggest getting a betta fish that already lives with shrimp and other small fish. This way it will act less territorial and aggressive towards the poor shrimp and make great tank mates for your shrimp.

Provide them with lots of hiding places

The most important thing you should do to kill the territorial behavior of your betta fish is to provide it with ample hiding places. Make use of driftwood, caves, and java moss, where your bettas can feel secure and be less aggressive.

Get a big fish tank

Keep your cherry shrimp out of your bettas sight by providing a tank big enough for them to swim freely. If you intend to keep your cherry shrimp and bettas together, I suggest getting a tank no smaller than 20 gallons.

Introduce the cherry shrimp first in the fish tank

When you put another creature in a betta tank, it’s natural for them to feel like their territory has been invaded. And as a response, they might brutally attack your cherry shrimp.

To administer this, I suggest introducing the cherry shrimp first in your betta tank.

Amanos

Amano shrimp can make excellent tank mates for betta because they can reach a length of over 1 inch with an average lifespan of two to three years, unlike cherry shrimp. Amano shrimp also showcase dull colors that don’t pique your bettas to attack them aggressively.

However, consider the following points before adding Amano shrimps to your betta tank.

The temperament of your bettas

If your betta fish has shown aggressive and territorial behavior (like the video below) in the past few days, it’s highly likely that it will attack the Amano shrimp as well. Thus, if your betta has never lived with a tank mate before, refrain from adding Amano shrimps as they are quite costly. If you must, adding ghost shrimp is a great option because they are reasonable and used as feeder shrimp anyway.

The size of Amano Variety

Shrimp species are naturally smaller in size than the betta fish. So, it’s natural for a betta to attack smaller shrimp. Not because they are territorial, but shrimp serves as food for your bettas.

To cater to this problem, consider the size of your shrimp before adding it to your tank. In this regard, Amano shrimp species are an excellent choice as they are large and dull in color.

When looking for an Amano shrimp from the store, I suggest asking the clerk about the largest Amano shrimp possible to add to your betta tank.

Author Note: Look out for the female Amano shrimp as they are larger than the male shrimps

Ghost Variety

If you’re planning to introduce shrimp species in your betta tank for the first time, then ghost shrimp is your best bet. Because:

1. Betta fish is smaller than ghost shrimp
2. Ghost shrimp is used as a feeder shrimp anyway.
3. They are cheap and easily available everywhere
4. Ghost shrimp pose no potential threat to your bettas

Therefore, shrimp can live with bettas comfortably. However, there are chances that your betta will eat ghost shrimp. Thus, if you’re planning to introduce shrimp as tank mates for your betta, do this:

Add plenty of hiding places in your tank

Ghost shrimp, by nature, is very skittish. Therefore, in order to provide them with a safe place, add lots of aquatic plants, driftwoods, rocks, caves, and other aquatic ornaments.

The safer your ghost shrimp feel, the more it will explore the tank and come out.

Invest in a bigger tank

At least a 10-gallon tank would suffice the requirements of your ghost shrimp and betta together. Because betta eats ghost shrimp when it’s frustrating seeing your shrimp everywhere. The more space they have, the less interaction they make. And it results in an overall peaceful, friendly tank environment.

Also, a bigger tank provides more space for your ghost shrimp, in case it wants to escape the betta aggression.

Keep them well-fed

I’ve observed that betta and ghost shrimp live together in harmony, but there are cases when your betta will end up eating the ghost shrimp. Therefore, adding shrimp as a tank mate for your betta is quite risky. But you can do little effort to avoid the casualties.

Before introducing ghost shrimp in your betta tank, I suggest feeding your betta beforehand. That’s because betta eats ghost shrimps when they are hungry.

How many ghost shrimps should be kept in a tank?

Ghost shrimps are known to be happy around other shrimps. Therefore, to keep them happy and healthy, it is recommended to add at least two to four shrimp to a tank.

When you’re adding shrimp, avoid ghost shrimp babies as they are more likely to be attacked by your bettas.

The Best Species For Your Tank

I’ve discussed almost all types of shrimp species compatible with your Siamese fighting fish. However, there are one species that ticks all the boxes for the best shrimp and betta tank mate.

Bamboo or the Wood Species

Bamboo or wood shrimp is a freshwater shrimp species that are native to Southeast Asia. These shrimp species make excellent tank mates for your bettas fish. Since they are docile, healthy, active, and of different sizes, they are really fun to keep as betta tank mates.

Bamboo shrimp can come in small, medium, and large sizes, depending on your needs. The best thing about these shrimp is you can get them at any store, either your local store or chain stores. However, before buying, inspect the shrimp thoroughly—the legs, antennae, and eyes should be healthy.

The other reason bamboo shrimp is great for your betta is that they have soft exoskeletons that break down easily, in case your bettas eat any of them.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind before adding bamboo shrimp to your tank.

Adding lots of live plants

Bamboo shrimp appreciates enough live aquarium plants to provide them with places to climb on and hide under. Also, they admire other hiding places such as rocks and driftwoods.

The bigger the tank size, the better

The bamboo shrimp is a filter-feeding shrimp. It means that it pulls food from the water column. Therefore, to increase water volume, the size of the tank should be enough to support bamboo shrimp’s food needs.

I recommend getting a tank of 20 gallons or more to suffice the needs of your bamboo shrimp.

Fish Food

When it comes to feeding betta fish and shrimp, all you need to think about is betta food. Because shrimp is a scavenger for food. It will eat everything provided to it. Thus, when you provide your betta with high-quality nutritious food, know that your shrimp is well-fed with whatever you feed your bettas, either vegetables or meat. Bettas are carnivores and voracious eaters, so they need a high-protein diet that includes live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods, and sinking pellets.

However, this doesn’t imply that you completely ignore your shrimp in terms of food. Because as compared to a hungry betta, shrimp are slow eaters and may be left behind. So, I suggest feeding your shrimp a varied diet from time to time.

Difference Between Male and Female Bettas

When it comes to shrimp, there is no difference between a male and female betta as they both can get aggressive around small shrimp. However, the biggest shrimp is out of the league of your bettas because it cannot fit in their mouth. For this reason, dwarf shrimp species such as African dwarf are not suitable to keep with your bettas.

When judging the size of your bettas, the male betta is larger than the females. Therefore, consider a female betta to be a more compatible tank mate for your bettas.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Betta fish is a beautiful creation of nature that is a treat to watch in your freshwater aquariums. However, it’s no wonder they can be super aggressive and territorial, and being voracious eaters, they eat everything that looks like food to them.

Therefore, experts don’t recommend keeping them with other small fish or shrimp species. A betta will eat and attack your shrimp if it feels threatened by it or is extremely hungry. Many fish keepers I know reported their betta fish suddenly attacked their shrimps without any reason or provocation.

Therefore, whether betta fish will eat your shrimp or not is a highly debatable topic with no one answer.

Rummy nose tetras are one of my favorite schooling tetras, and for good reason — a large school of them moving in tight formation is one of the most visually striking things you can put in a planted freshwater tank. What most people don’t realize is that the red coloration on their heads actually tells you how the tank is doing. A bright, vivid red nose means healthy, clean water and low stress. A faded pink head is your early warning that something’s off — water quality, temperature, or dissolved oxygen. Once you know that, they become a living water quality indicator. They do need soft, slightly acidic water to really thrive, but get the conditions right and they’re a spectacular fish.

Species Overview

What Are Rummy Nose Tetras?

Rummy nose tetras are popular freshwater fish species, originating from South America. They are particularly found in Rio Negro in Brazil and Rio Vaupes in Columbia. These freshwater aquatic species go by many names, including Fire head tetra, Red nose tetra, and Brilliant rummy nose. They are peaceful fish that are active and playful with their computable tank mates. Hence, make the best aquarium species in the community tank.

Origin and Habitat

In the wild, rummy nose tetras live in the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, especially in the rainforest rivers and streams, such as Rio Negro and Rio Meta river basins or Petitella Georgia from the Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Rio Purus, Rio Negro, and Rio Madeira river basins.

However, nowadays, most rummy nose tetras are captive-bred. The captive-bred species are farmed in South East Asia and Europe and sourced throughout the globe successfully.

Appearance

The startling difference between other freshwater fish and Rummy nose tetras is their red head that leaves your visitors awestruck.

The body of rummy nose tetras is torpedo-shaped with sheer silver color accentuated with a grayish-green hue. The caudal fin in rummy nose tetra is patterned with black and white horizontal stripes with colorless lobe tips. There is a very thin, indistinguishable black line that runs forward base to base- from the caudal fin towards the dorsal fin.

The deep fiery color in the rummy nose tetra is limited to the head region only, and the vibrancy of colors on your rummy nose tetras speaks volumes of the tank’s water quality, diet, and overall health of the fish.

Types

Rummy nose tetras are divided into three distinct very similar tetra species.

The True Species: Hemigrammus rhodostomus

The Hemigrammus Rhodostomus are the true rummy nose tetras that are often sold as the common rummy nose tetra or the “brilliant nose tetra”. However, you can easily distinguish the following by these factors:

• The amount of red coloration on the head is a little lighter than H. Bleheri.
• The dark blotch is absent at the bottom.
• The line that extends laterally from the central caudal fin is narrower in the true rummy nose tetra.

The Brilliant  or The Common: Hemigrammus bleheri

The most popular species of the rummy nose tetra are H. bleheri. Commercial breeders also produce a golden variant of the rummy nose tetra by selectively breeding, which is available for sale from time to time.

• The red coloration on the fish’s head extends into the fish’s body, beyond the gill covers.
• The presence of a dark blotch at the top of the caudal peduncle.
• The line that extends laterally from the central fin into the fish’s body is almost invisible.

The false Kind Petitella georgiae

The false rummy nose tetras can be distinguished by the other two types on the basis of:

• Bright redhead
• The black horizontal line extends to the middle rays of the caudal peduncle.
• Presence of diagonal black bars in each caudal-fin lobe, divided by white bands

Therefore, this species of rummy nose tetra is often labeled as the black-finned rummy nose.

Average Size and Lifespan

Rummy nose tetras are small freshwater fish. They grow no longer than two inches in length with a life expectancy of around six years with proper maintenance and care.

Care Guide

Rummy noses are popular schooling fish that are considered easy for beginners. However, if you don’t take care of them or maintain their water quality, things can get worse. Therefore, be vigilant in raising a rummy nose, because they take poor water conditions and other parameters very seriously.

Also, rummy noses are much appreciated by the aquarium keepers as they are quite active and very reasonable in many pet stores.

The Rummy Nose Tetra is a hardy fish when well taken care of that will live for almost a decade ranging from five to eight years. These tiny fish grow up to anywhere from one and a half inches to two and a half inches.

Aquarium Setup

In their natural habitat, the rummy nose tetra occupies the middle and top water column with a preference for slow-moving waters. However, they have usually seen feeding and swimming in the middle and bottom as well.

Rummy nose tetras stay happy in a spacious tank where they could swim freely with lots of hiding places and plants.

Tank Size

While they can qualify for a nano tank given their size, they are not the best nano fish. The minimum tank size for rummy noses should be no less than 20 gallons. It is observed that these fish occupies the middle and top levels of the tank, but oftentimes they can be seen swimming and feeding in the middle and bottom levels. In captivity, experts suggest keeping them in schools of six or more. These fish species are particularly small, which means around five of these fish easily fit in ten gallons, meaning you can fit 25 rummy noses in a 30-gallon tank.

Water Parameters

Rummy nose tetras admire warm water temperature so much. So, they should always be kept in water temperatures around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit – with 78 being the most ideal temperature Also, they prefer slightly acidic to neutral water with recommended pH levels of 6.2 to 7. Any changes in the water chemistry of the tetra tank and temperature would adversely affect these tetras. Therefore, be sure to maintain optimal conditions to raise a happy and healthy tetra.

Filtration and Aeration

Rummy noses take their tank condition very seriously. The slightest inconvenience, for example, the traces of ammonia, nitrite, nitrates, and other toxins can shorten their lifespan and activity levels. Therefore, to provide a healthy ecosystem, it is suggested to use a robust filter such as HOB or canister filters to keep your fish tank free of toxins.

For larger aquariums of around 40 gallons or more, I suggest using airstones to increase aeration and water oxygenation, or you can install multiple filters 

Lighting

Like most fish, rummy nose tetras do not enjoy bright lights. Therefore, if you have a well-planted tank, I suggest using dim light or adjustable L.E.D lights to subtly light your aquarium for plant material.

To darken the tank more, you can get tall floating plants and driftwood and rocks, providing cozy, shady areas for your fish.

Aquatic Plants and Decorations

The number one rule to keep your tetras happy as a daisy is to mimic their natural habitat and see them thriving more than ever. 

Since these fish species are top- to middle-dwelling, it is recommended to get plants that reach such water columns to provide a sense of protection. Also, rummy tetras loathe bright lights. So, to give them ample shade, add floating plants and rooted plants for them to hide and burrow for shade if needed. You can add as much plant material as you want because rummy tetras are not destructive toward aquatic plants. 

For tank decorations, a piece of driftwood and a pile of rocks provide much space to hide and rest. But be sure to not overwhelm the tank with plants and other decorations because rummy noses enjoy a lot of swimming room. Low light plants are recommended for these types of tetras.

Substrate

Many tetra keepers use a dark substrate to make their radiant rummy noses and out from the crowd. But you can use any high-quality fine sandy substrate or pebble substrate at the bottom of your tank.

Tank Maintenance

No matter how many high-quality filters you use, rummy noses are very sensitive to toxins and poor water conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to do weekly water changes without stressing them much. Also, it is advised to change your filter media every 3 weeks. If you’re planning to breed rummy nose tetra, make sure to test the water quality daily as mild exposure to minerals such as Calcium and other toxins can cause sterility in these tetras.

Community Tank Mates

The good news is rummy noses are a schooling and peaceful fish. Thus, they will mix with other schooling fish, just make sure you have at least 6 to form a group.

The most suitable tank mates in a rummy nose tetra tank are:

1. Danios of all types
2. Corydoras Catfish
3. Barbs
4. Harlequin Rasboras
5. Lemon Tetras
6. Black widow tetras
7. Cardinal tetras
8. Peppered catfish
9. Siamese fighting fish

And all other peaceful, small fish. Mostly dwarf shrimps go well with rummy nose tetras. However, the adult fish might end up eating dwarf shrimp and their fry. Therefore, always opt for tank mates equal to the size of the rummy nose tetra.

Incompatible Tank Mates

The incompatible tank mates are most of the cichlids and other large or aggressive fish that may bully or harm your rummy noses.

Breeding

Breeding rummy nose tetras is a challenging task, especially in captivity because a minor increase in the calcium levels may cause sterility in these fish.

To breed rummy noses successfully, you need to provide them with soft water with a pH of around 6.5. Also, the levels of Calcium should be close to none in the breeding tank and the temperature range should be around 84 degrees Fahrenheit with low lighting.

Rummy noses are egg layers and they lay their eggs on the fine-leaved plants such as java moss. These fish lay only a few eggs at one time, that too, at night time. I suggest removing the parents into another tank because they may eat eggs. 

After three to four days, the eggs hatch, which are vulnerable to fungus. You can use an anti-fungal medication to avoid this problem. If the medication is not available, you can use natural items like Indian Almond Leaves as their tannic acid is helpful in preventing fungal infections. Check out this video by Bo The Tetra Breeder below for a timelapse of the fry’s development.

How do you raise the Fry?

The baby rummy noses are slow growers among all the popular freshwater fish. Many fish experts make them eat infusoria for at least three weeks before feeding them anything else. The fish fry is very vulnerable to fatal diseases, thus, the quality of tank water should be maintained properly.

It takes around six months for the rummy nose’s baby to munch on adult fish food such as Daphnia.

Food and Diet

Since these fish are omnivorous. They thrive well on a varied diet rich in protein. You can easily feed them premium-quality flake food, pellets, frozen foods, freeze-dried foods, bloodworms, blackworms, and much more.

In the wild, they munch on plant debris and insect larvae. But in captivity, they have a variety of food to feed on such as brine shrimp, fish eggs, green vegetables including, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, etc, and commercial food as well.

However, don’t forget to add flake food as the base because good flake food will provide nutrients and are easy to feed for these small fish.

How Often Should You Feed Rummy nose?

You can feed these species twice daily. But make sure they finish the food within 2 minutes to prevent food decay and a murky tank.

Rummy noses are sensitive to nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, feeding them with high-quality flake food with lots of protein content is crucial along with occasional treats given on a weekly basis.

Common Health Problems and Diseases

The best part about rummy noses is they hardly get sick and catch diseases if you provide them with excellent water conditions.

However, there are some common health problems and diseases observed in the rummy noses such as:

Dropsy

In this condition, the fluid builds up inside the body of a fish. This is due to bacterial infections, liver dysfunction, or parasitic infections. Either way, proper diagnosis is recommended.

Ich or White spot Disease

The Ich disease is a common health problem in most tropical fish. The signs of these diseases are the presence of small white spots on the body and gills, scraping of the body against sharp, hard objects in the aquarium, loss of appetite, and abnormal hiding or lethargic behavior.

Differences Between Male and Female

The visual differences between the male and female rummy nose species are close to none. However, when the female is full of eggs, the body looks fuller and much more rounder than the male.

Where to get the best quality from?

Since you’ve researched everything about the rummy nose tetras, it’s time to get your hands on this great fish.

You can easily purchase these beautiful fish from online fish stores or in-store from the local breeders. Either way, the cost of rummy nose tetra is very as affordable as low $4 for a single fish, and $25 for a group of six to keep in your home aquarium.

Where to Buy

These tetra fish are easy to find at fish stores. While easy to find, not every fish store is reputable. If you want to go with an online option, I would highly recommend Flip Aquatics. Rob and his team value the care they put into their aquatic animals. It is in my mind, the best place to purchase nano fish and shrimp from. You can use promo code ASDFLIPPROMO at check out for a discount!

Rummy Nose Tetra

An easy to care for Tetra fish that loves to school. Very peaceful fish that are great for beginners

Click For Best Price

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The rummy nose tetra is a beautiful addition to your community aquarium. The most crucial part of raising a happy and healthy rummy nose tetra is to provide them with ample free swimming space and a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Besides, they are a very hardy fish with a lifespan of around six years, if taken good care of. 

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide — your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

🐟 This article is part of our Tetras: Complete A-Z Species Directory — your guide to every tetra species in the hobby.

German blue rams are one of my favorite dwarf cichlids — arguably the most colorful fish you can keep in a freshwater community tank. I’ve kept them myself and the colors on a healthy, well-conditioned ram are genuinely stunning. They do require warmer water and stable parameters though, so this isn’t a fish I’d recommend to brand-new hobbyists. Get the conditions right and they’re incredibly rewarding. Here’s my complete care guide.

German blue rams are one of the most visually stunning dwarf cichlids you can keep — and one of the most frequently killed by hobbyists who underestimate their water chemistry requirements. I’ve kept rams over the years and the pattern I see is always the same: someone buys them because they look incredible in the store, puts them in a standard community tank at 76°F, and loses them within a few weeks. Rams want warm, soft, slightly acidic water — 82 to 86°F is the sweet spot. Get that right, along with stable parameters, and they’re genuinely rewarding fish with real personality. This guide covers everything: care, compatible tank mates, and what it actually takes to breed them.

The Ram or dwarf Cichlid is a stunning and tranquil freshwater fish species that have been observed for over 30 years. They go by many names, Ramirez’s dwarf cichlid, Blue ram, Butterfly ram, Ram ramirezi, and Dwarf cichlid. All these names lead to one beautiful fish species, belonging to the family Cichlidae and originating in South America, mostly in Amazon and Orinoco river extensions.

Brief Overview of the Ram Cichlid

Ram Cichlids Appearance

Ram cichlid are small dwarf cichlids with large fins that overshadow their oval-shaped bodies.

Ram cichlid has vibrant reddish-orange, red and yellow spots all over their body with bright red eyes and a black band running through them. Due to their unique coloration and outstanding patterns, they make a great addition to your community aquarium. 

In ram cichlids, the male rams are larger in length and possess the biggest dorsal fin. Because of their flowy dorsal fins and colorful appearance, they are commonly called butterfly cichlids.

How Big Are They?

Ram cichlids fall under the dwarf cichlids category. Therefore, they can never grow larger than 2-3 inches in captivity. However, in the wild, Ram cichlids are known to reach a maximum of 7 to 8 inches in length.

Temperament and Activity Level

Ram cichlids are community tank fish with a peaceful nature. However, some types such as Bolivian rams can get semi-aggressive and territorial, when they feel their territories are being invaded. 

Ram cichlids are average swimmers and quick at hiding in their favorite spots to catch prey to eat. Therefore, an aquarium should be well-planted with lots of aquatic plants and hiding places such as driftwood, caves, rocks, etc.

Tank Mates 

No matter how agile and peaceful Ram cichlids are, you cannot keep them with any other fish. Here are the 15 most suitable tank mates for your ram cichlid.

• Guppies
• Platies
• Mollies
• Swordtails
• Dwarf Gourami
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Cory catfish
• Kuhli Loach
• Tetras
• Zebra Danio
• Discus fish
• Angelfish
• Rasboras
• Oto catfish
• Black ghost knife fish

Aquarium Requirements

Ram cichlids are very particular about their living environment. If the fish tank doesn’t meet all the requirements, ram cichlid can go into stress and eventually die. Therefore, it is imperative to take preventive measures and provide them with optimal conditions.

Tank Size

Even though ram cichlids are dwarf cichlids, they require plenty of swimming space. Therefore, go for a tank that is at least 20 gallons or more. It also depends on the number of fish you want to keep. If you’re aiming for more than one male, opt for a 29-gallon tank. One other reason to keep them in a large aquarium is they are highly sensitive to nitrates and prefer a gentle flow. So, more water and a larger tank ensure the maximum health of your rams. 

Editor’s Choice

UNS 60U

UNS offers a quality rimless aquarium at a great price. One of the big pure rimless aquarium brands you can purchase today!

Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

Not just that, they appreciate regular water changes, and so I recommend installing a premium quality canister filter to raise a healthy ram cichlid.

Water Parameters 

One thing I can safely say about these cichlids is they don’t need a chiller, but a heater would suffice their needs.

Ram cichlids are tropical fish that thrive in warm water temperatures of around 78 to 85 °F. Therefore, I recommend installing a high-quality heater to provide them with the optimal temperature. Also, your rams will live happily if you create a natural environment for them. For this, fish experts suggest putting a fine substrate and plenty of plants with lots of hiding places in the form of rocks and caves for hiding or breeding. 

Tank Setup

A ram cichlid is very susceptible to certain chemicals and rapid changes in its environment. All these rapid changes and traces of chemicals can cause piscine (fish tuberculosis) which is fatal and inevitable if water quality is ignored.

As far as the lighting is concerned, a ram cichlid prefers dim lights. If you have plants, I recommend using adjustable LED lights, low light plants, or getting floating plants to provide them with suitable shade without affecting your plants.

Since ram cichlid are sensitive, make sure to check the levels of ammonia and nitrates in their tank and change the water weekly to ensure quality.

Breeding

To ensure the successful breeding of ram cichlid in their breeding season, make sure to provide soft water conditions by adding a small bag of rinsed peat to your canister filter. Also, make sure to keep the water pH neutral within recommended temperature range as ideal water conditions increase their activity level and improve the chances of breeding. 

In the natural habitat, a ram cichlid is a known open spawner, which means they create family groups and lay around 150 to 200 eggs approx.

Adult rams are difficult to pair with and costly as well. The cheaper and more effective way is to get juveniles and let them grow and pair together. Since they are monogamous pairs, I recommend keeping the breeding pair in a separate breeding tank for spawning.

Additionally, make sure to keep the water warmer in the breeding tank by around 2 to 3°F and more acidic with a slow water flow.

You can also feed the breeding pair with live food, such as blood worms, white worms, and brine shrimp as a treat once a day.

The Birth Process

Before keeping ram or dwarf cichlid, be informed that they do not lay eggs at all, if they are stressed during breeding. Rams only lay eggs when they are relaxed and devoid of other distractions. When their females are pregnant, their pink bellies become visibly fat and a female blue ram cichlid lay eggs under large, flat rocks and demands complete solitude. Hence, it is recommended to keep the pregnant female in a separate tank, no matter how peaceful they are.

Your tank setup and parameters should also be adjusted according to the liking of your breeding pair. The water should be of a neutral pH to slightly higher for optimal breeding and the temperature should be raised than the usual temperature which is around 77°F and 82°F. The warmer temperatures increase activity and improve the chances of successful breeding.

In cichlids, both mother and father fish raise the fry, which is unique for freshwater fish species. The fry rests in father ram’s mouth if they sense any potential danger and you should pay special attention to the fry because they can be swept into the filter.

What do They Eat?

Feeding rams with high-quality food that is rich in protein is quintessential for successful breeding and raising healthy, happy rams.

Since ram cichlid is omnivorous, it relies on plants and meat. In their natural habitat, they feed on floating plants and small insects, larvae, and other invertebrates. 

However, seasoned aquarists recommend feeding them brine shrimp, earthworms, artemia, blood worms, tubifex, white worms, and cyclopeeze. But bear in mind that the live food should be free of contaminants like bacteria, fungus, etc to avoid diseases and other health-related issues.

I don’t recommend pellets and flakes on a daily. However, if you’re feeding them commercial food, make sure it sinks as butterfly cichlids are not surface dwellers. Also, incorporate plants and vegetables in their diet and feed them two to five small portions of meals several times a week. This also helps preserve the quality of water. 

If your butterfly cichlid is new to the tank, it will be timid at the feeding time and may completely refuse to eat as they settle in its new fish tank. To cater to this, isolate the fish and feed them with treats such as mosquito larvae and start establishing their regular diet.

Diseases

Like most fish, rams are also vulnerable to tropical fish diseases, especially to poor water quality and stress that weakens their immune system.

One common disease in ram cichlids is ich, which is usually treated by increasing the water temperature to 86ºF for three days.

The butterfly cichlids are also susceptible to: 

1. Parasitic infestations
2. Bacterial infections
3. Fungal infections
4. Tuberculosis
5. In addition to these, these fish species can also develop Costia diseases, flatworm, and tapeworm infestations.

Different Types

Among the plethora of strains of Ram cichlids, there are four common types that aquarists love.

German Blue Rams 

German blue ram cichlids are very popular among the aquarists because they are not only beautiful but docile and peaceful community tank fish. Like other ram cichlids, German blue rams are bred in captivity and are small fish around 2.5 inches with a calm personality.

German blue rams originate from the river basins of Orinoco, in the savannas of Venezuela, Colorado, and South America. The main body of a German blue ram cichlid is divided into three prominent colors mainly orange, gold, and turquoise blue. Additionally, there’s a black striped line on their face that covers their vivid orange eyes. The fins of German blue rams have blue mottling and a black dot on their midriff.

German blue rams live with other community tank fishes peacefully. However, they are territorial and aggressive fish, especially when other fish try to invade their territories. However, German blue rams are known to be good parents that do not abandon their fry hatch.

Bolivian

Bolivian Ram cichlids are the largest of all ram cichlids that can reach up to inches in length. They are also available in the wild.

They originate from the Amazon river basins, especially in Brazil and Bolivia. Hence, the name. They are found in slow-moving streams, rivers, lakes, and pools with densely populated vegetation that protects them from predators and provides them with food.

Bolivian rams demand larger tanks of no less than 30 gallons and the tank size is crucial to the health of this fish. They also love densely planted aquariums with an appropriate substrate so they can continue their regular foraging activities.

The bodies of Bolivian ram cichlids have a simple base, mainly yellow or golden. However, the most prominent feature of these ram cichlids is the red highlights along with their fins. Due to this, they are also known as the red ram cichlid.

Bolivian rams are popularly known for their sifting behavior as they love sifting through the substrate for food. The recommended diet of these ram cichlids should contain pellets, flakes, chopped brine shrimp, blood worms, earthworms, and other protein content. Seasoned aquarists discourage feeding them live food as it might contaminate the water and spread fatal infections.

Fun Fact: The scientific name of Bolivian Ram Cichlid is not Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, as it is a different species, known as Mikrogeophagus altispinosus.

Golden Ram Cichlids

Like German blue ram, gold rams are also dwarf cichlids that reach a maximum of 2.5 inches overall with a light golden body and electric blue mottling on the fin. The dorsal fin of gold rams is spiky and they have pale eyes with a black pupil. Out of the four ram cichlids, golden rams are the lesser known and like Bolivian Rams, they are also found in a natural habitat.

The Golden Ram cichlid originates from the Rio Orinoco drainage within Venezuela and Colombia and they are usually found in pairs.

Like most cichlid species, the golden ram is a wonderful, colorful, and peaceful fish that is suitable for a community aquarium. However, it can become territorial sometimes. They require a lot of swimming space in a fish tank with ample plantations and hiding places. They are omnivorous, so should be fed a decent diet balanced with protein and occasional treats of live food.

Electric Blue

Electric blue rams (video source) are so much like their wild-caught cousins, but the differences lie in their coloration. The electric blue ram cichlids are radiant-blue in color with red patches around their body. Their eyes are orangish yellow along the forehead and that’s the most beautiful feature of electric blue rams.

The electric blue ram cichlids are popular in the aquarium trade since 2009 with their ovoid body and long spiky fins like blue rams. Unlike other dwarf cichlids, the electric blue rams are not suitable for beginners as they are more sensitive than other cichlid species.

Also, an electric blue ram is a very shy fish that hides in caves, rocks, or other hiding places when they feel bullied or threatened. 

3 Main Sources

If you want a Ram fish for your aquarium, you can source it from:

1. Local breeders or tradeshows
2. Overseas fish farms
3. Domestic fish farms (from your own country; typically from Florida)

There are many fish stores that sell Ram cichlid. However, these cichlids will most likely be imported from overseas. Imported cichlids might appear brighter with longer fins, but sometimes, they are artificially boosted by several hormones to enhance their vibrancy and overall appearance. However, the use of such hormones may adversely affect the life span of your cichlids.

If you wish to get a Ram Cichlid from domestic farms, be informed that they are mostly bred in Florida. It is better to get your Ram cichlids from domestic farms than an overseas farm, as they are in a much better condition.

But I recommend getting your aquarium buddies from a local breeder since they are kept in water conditions and environments similar to yours. Hence, they live and thrive in your home aquariums.

How to Pick a Healthy Fish?

So, you’ve made a decision to bring home a Ram cichlid? Great. But you should know how to pick a healthy one to avoid hazards.

1. Select a healthy-looking, active ram cichlid that eats and swims well
2. Pick the ones that compete with other rams for a great spawning site
3. Avoid choosing skinny or shrunken rams with a hollow belly

If you’re looking for a breeding pair, aquarium breeders suggest getting a colorful make with extended dorsal fins and great pectoral fins. And if you find the female already paired with the male ram cichlid, get them; as there are higher chances of successful breeding. 

How to Distinguish between Male and Female?

To distinguish between a male and female ram cichlid, always remember:

1. Females have tiny, bright blue dots inside their black spots on the sides of their bodies
2. Males lack these dots on their black spots.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Ram cichlids are very small fish around 2-3 inches in length. Despite their size, they require immaculate attention and care. Therefore, make sure to provide at least 20 gallons tank with lots of hiding places and aquatic plants to raise healthy and happy rams.

📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide — your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.

Chili rasboras are one of those nano fish that stop me every time I see a healthy school of them under good lighting. I’ve kept them and can confirm the photos don’t do them justice — that deep red-and-black coloration is really something in person. They’re also surprisingly hardy for their size once established. This guide covers everything you need to set them up and keep them looking their best.

Chili rasboras are one of those fish that stop people in their tracks at the store — a school of bright red nano fish looks almost unreal in a planted tank. At less than an inch, they’re among the smallest fish in the freshwater hobby, which makes tank mate selection critical. Almost anything larger will view them as food. They also need soft, slightly acidic water to show their best color, and they should be kept in groups of at least 8 to 10 — solo or small groups and they stay washed out and nervous. Get those things right and they’re genuinely one of the most striking nano setups you can build.

The chili rasbora, AKA mosquito rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is an amazing little nano fish. More and more fish keepers have crossed over to the nano side of the hobby because of the diversity of species you can keep in a limited amount of space. When choosing a nano species, the chili rasbora has it all – great personality, and awesome looks, all packed into less than an inch!

Species Overview

Origins and Habitat

Chili rasboras are native to Borneo in Southeast Asia. Their natural habitat consists of pools in blackwater streams with extremely soft, and quite acidic water.

The water is often full of aquatic and floating plants and partially shaded by the forest trees above. Plenty of leaf litter accumulates in the water and stains it a dark color, creating quite a dim environment.

The chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is the most popular of a few closely related Boraras species. If the word ‘boraras’ sounds a little fishy, that’s because it’s an anagram of the word r-a-s-b-o-r-a. Who says fish scientists aren’t fun?

What Do They Look Like?

The chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is a tiny nano fish with bold looks. The first impression when seeing this species is a very small, reddish fish with bold markings and huge eyes.

The males have deeper color but are smaller and more slender than the females, which also have rounder bellies. Dominant male chili rasboras become especially colorful, turning a deep red shade.

There is a characteristic black stripe on the sides of the fish’s body which can shine blueish green in good light. Just above this black stripe, you’ll notice a bright red or orange line.

Another stand-out feature is the red patch on the fish’s gill plate. This makes these nano schooling fish look like they have rosy cheeks!

To top it off, chili rasboras have great-looking fins. The base of their tail, and their dorsal and anal fins also have black and orange spots and markings.

How Big Are They?

If you thought something like a neon tetra or a guppy was small, just wait until you meet the chili rasbora! Chili rasboras are one of the smallest fish in the hobby, maxing out at less than an inch in total length.

In fact, a full-grown adult will only reach about 0.8 inches with good care. The male chili rasbora is slightly smaller and slimmer in build than the female.

How Long Do They Live?

Chili rasboras have a surprisingly long lifespan for such a small fish. In the right conditions, these hardy fish can live for up to 8 years!

To keep your fish living longer, make sure you provide them with a healthy and varied diet, a comfortable tank setup, and perform regular maintenance to keep your water quality pristine.

Temperament And Activity Level

The chili rasbora can be a pretty outgoing and confident little fish if kept in the right kind of tank setup. With larger fish as tank mates, however, chili rasboras can be very timid fish.

They spend most of their time up around the middle and top levels of the aquarium, but they can be seen just about anywhere too. The chili rasbora is known as a schooling fish and they are very social, although they won’t always group tightly.

Chili rasboras are very peaceful fish, so you don’t need to worry about them picking on any other fish in a community tank.

What Are Good Tank Mates?

The chili rasbora is a tiny fish, which can make choosing suitable tank mates a little challenging. Many fish keepers prefer to keep chili rasboras in species-only aquariums because they work so great in schools in nano tanks.

These fish will get along with most other peaceful fish, however, as long as they are not big enough to eat your rasboras.

Read on to learn more about the best (and worst) tank mates for chili rasboras.

Best Tank Mates

The best tank mates for chili rasboras are other peaceful nano fish. Let’s take a look at some of the best tank mates for these amazing fish:

• Harlequin rasbora
• Otocinclus catfish
• Pygmy corydoras
• Rams
• Dwarf pencilfish
• Betta fish
• Sparkling gourami
• Zebra danios

Least Compatible Fish

Chili rasboras are so small that many of the most popular tropical aquarium fish could potentially swallow them whole. As a general rule, avoid keeping them, with anything over about 2.5 inches long.

You’ll also want to avoid any predatory fish, aggressive fin-nippers, and boisterous species that could outcompete them for food.

Here are a few common aquarium fish that will not make good tank mates for chili rasboras:

• Cichlids, except for rams
• Most catfish
• Angelfish
• Goldfish
• Golden wonder killifish
• Tiger barbs
• Oscars

Inverts

The chili rasbora is one of the safest fish to keep with dwarf shrimp. That being said, they are micro-predators so they will feed on tiny baby shrimp that have just hatched. If you plan on breeding your shrimp, a shrimp-only setup would be wiser.

Here are some shrimp that you can keep with the chili rasbora:

• Cherry shrimp
• Crystal red shrimp
• Amano shrimp

You can also keep snails with your chili rasboras. Snails do a terrific job of keeping an aquarium clean, but some species can really multiply fast. Nerite snails are a great choice because they look amazing, eliminate algae, and best of all, they won’t breed in your fish tank!

What Do They Eat?

The Chili rasbora is a micro predator that feeds on tiny insects and bugs. The name mosquito rasbora is probably a good clue as to what these tiny fish love to feed on in nature.

Think small when looking for food for these fish. They will do great on a diet of fish flakes and nano pellets, but supplementing with live/frozen foods will bring out the best condition and color in these nano fish. A good micro pellet formula is Xtreme Aquatics Foods Nano.

Great For Nano Fish

Xtreme Aquatic Foods Nano

Xtreme Aquatics Nano formula is specially designed for smaller fish and contained a well balance mix of raw ingredients. It is a great staple food for your nano fish.

Buy On Amazon

Let’s take a look at some of the types of food you can feed the chili rasbora:

Prepared Foods

• Crushed flakes
• Micro pellets

Live & Frozen Foods

• Daphnia
• Tubifex
• Chopped bloodworms
• White worms
• Micro worms
• Mosquito larvae
• Baby brine shrimp

How Much And How Often To Feed Your Fish

Chili rasboras need to be fed regularly, at least once a day. It is better to feed these tiny fish small amounts two or three times a day, however.

The chili rasbora is often kept in nano tanks as small as 5 gallons, but this makes overfeeding especially dangerous. A bunch of uneaten food in such a small volume of water can cause dangerous ammonia spikes.

So how do you know how much to feed your fish?

When you go to feed your chili rasboras, watch them eat- they should finish all the food in just a minute or two. Feeding them this amount 2 or 3 times a day is a great way to keep your fish well-fed, without creating too much waste.

Setting Up Your Fish Tank

The chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is right at home in a nano tank. They do best in a planted tank with a dark substrate and low water flow. Chili rasboras love live plants, and floating types are a great choice.

Read on to learn more about how to set up a great chili rasbora tank!

Tank Size

The chili rasbora is one of the smallest freshwater fish in the aquarium trade, so they make a great choice for fish keepers who don’t have a lot of space.

A small group of these nano fish can thrive in tanks as small as 5 gallons. This would be the minimum tank size, however, and if you’re new to fish keeping, I’d recommend a larger tank like a 10 or 15-gallon.

Serene Aquarium

The perfect first time aquascaper tank. Comes with dragonstone rock. Just add filtration and plants!

Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

Remember, the smaller an aquarium, the faster things can go wrong, so go slightly bigger to be on the safe side. A ten-gallon tank, for example, will be easier to maintain and allow you to keep an awesome little school of about 20 of these fish quite safely.

Plants

Chili rasboras do really well in a planted aquarium. Not only will your fish feel more at home between the leaves and roots, but live plants also have a number of great benefits when it comes to maintaining the high water quality these fish need.

If you’re not already a planted tank enthusiast, consider picking up some common and easy to grow species like:

• Cryptocorynes
• Anubias
• Amazon Sword
• Java fern

These aquarium plants don’t need much maintenance and they won’t take over your tank too fast. Down the road you can look at improving your lighting, picking up some aquascaping tools, and investing in a CO2 injection system. I must warn you though, that the planted aquarium hobby can be addictive!

Go ahead and browse through some of the great plant care articles on this website to learn more about specific species and their care.

Substrate

Chili rasboras look (and feel) their best when kept over a dark substrate. You can use a fine gravel or sand substrate as long as it is well rinsed and aquarium safe. If you plan on setting up a heavily planted tank, an aquarium soil would be a great option.

Decor

Chili rasboras like plenty of structure in their environment where they can hide out from predators. Fine driftwood like spider wood is great because it mimics the tangled roots and branches these fish are used to in their natural habitat.

Best Value

Spiderwood

Best Value

A budget priced and easy to use driftwood. A great beginner aquarium decoration

Click For Best Price Buy On Amazon

Water Quality

The chili rasbora is actually really adaptable to a wide range of parameters, but they do require good water quality. They should never be added to an uncycled aquarium or kept in a tank with unstable or poor water quality. Consider doing a fishless cycle to make sure you start on the right foot.

Filtration

Filtration is vital because the chili rasbora requires, stable, high-quality water with zero nitrites and ammonia. This means your aquarium needs to be cycled before you introduce your fish.

If you’re not sure how to cycle a new aquarium, go ahead and check out my article on aquarium cycling to learn everything you need to know about this vital step!

The type of filter you choose is not that important as long as it is a good size for your tank. The most important factor to consider is that chili rasboras are tiny and they will get blown around in a strong current. They can also be sucked into strong filter intakes, so you might want to choose a model that has a prefilter sponge.

Water Parameters

The chili rasbora prefers a water temperature anywhere between 70°F and 82°F, with something around the middle of this range probably being ideal. Use a heater to keep the temperature stable in your tank.

These fish prefer soft water that is slightly acidic. Aim for the following parameters:

• pH: 4-7
• GH: 1-2
• KH: 3-12dKH

The chili rasbora needs really good water quality in order to thrive. Your water test results should always read zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and less than 20 ppm nitrates.

Aquarium Maintenance

Regular aquarium maintenance is the only way to keep nano tanks clean and safe for your fish. Performing a partial water change of 20-30% per week is a good way to keep nitrate levels in a safe range.

Be sure to remove any dead or dying plant matter, and suck up the dirt and waste that accumulates on your substrate with a gravel vacuum. If necessary, you can also rinse out your filter sponge media in the water you have just taken out of the tank. Remember to look after those precious beneficial bacteria!

Your tap water probably contains chemicals like chlorine or chloramine that are added to keep the water safe for human use. Unfortunately, these chemicals are toxic to fish, so make sure you use a water conditioner to neutralize the harmful effects.

Testing

The only way to know for sure if your maintenance schedule is appropriate is to test your aquarium water. Get yourself a test kit that can measure the following parameters:

• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate
• pH
• GH
• KH

Test kits are really easy (and fun) to use. They work either by adding a drop of solution to some aquarium water in a test tube or by simply dipping a strip into your tank. All you need to do next is watch for the solution or strip to change color, and compare the results with the provided chart.

You should test your aquarium water before introducing your fish. This way you will know what your pH and water hardness are out of the tap.

If your tap water pH and hardness are too high, you might need to look at using rainwater or RO water in your tank. Avoid using distilled water that is not remineralized.

Breeding

Breeding rasboras at home is a fun hobby that anyone can do with the right knowledge. Building up a big school can be a slow process, however, because these tiny fish only lay a few eggs at a time. Here is a wonderful video above by Mark’s Aquatics that goes into great detail. I have a few summary points below. Here’s what you need to know:

Sexing

Before you can breed these fish, you’ll need to make sure you have both males and females. The female chili rasbora grows a little larger than the males and will also have a rounder belly. Dominant male chili rasboras tend to turn a bright and deep shade of red.

How They Breed

The chili rasbora is an egg-scattering fish that doesn’t show any parental care. This means they won’t look after their eggs or fry. If your fish are happy in their tank and in good condition, they will probably start breeding on their own and you might even spot some babies after a while.

If you want to breed this species in a more controlled way, you’re going to want to set up a separate breeding tank. The breeding tank only needs to hold 3 gallons or so, and a small sponge filter will work great for aerating the water and maintaining water quality.

Conditioning And Breeding Your Fish

Start by feeding your fish high-quality foods like micro worms and brine shrimp for a few days to bring them into peak condition.

Next, add some well-conditioned adults to your breeding tank and if they are happy, the female chili rasbora should lay eggs after a day or so. Remove the breeding fish and the eggs will start to hatch after about 2 days.

Raising Fry

Chili rasbora fry need to be fed from their second day after hatching. They can be fed a diet of infusoria. The fry are very small after hatching, so wait at least a week before doing a water change to avoid sucking them up by accident.

Health & Disease

The chili rasbora is known to be hardy fish, but like any species, they can be affected by various health problems. Read on to learn how to evaluate your fish’s health, and which problems to look out for.

Evaluating Your Their Health

Whether you’re picking out fish down at your local fish store, or just keeping an eye on the health of your pets at home, knowing what to look out for is really important. Healthy chili rasboras are:

• Active
• Colorful
• Able to swim right side up, without floating or sinking

Unhealthy chili rasboras can show the following warning signs:

• Rapid breathing
• Floating, sinking, or swimming upside down
• Flashing and rubbing their sides on the substrate
• White spots on the body
• Bulging eyes
• White stringy feces
• Bloating

Common Health Issues And Treatment

Aquarium fish can get sick for a number of reasons. The most common causes are infections from fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They can also suffer from physical injuries of course.

Infections can come in with new fish or plants, so it’s important to quarantine before adding them to your tank. Fish that are comfortable in their environment have a much smaller chance of getting sick than fish that are under stress, so always look for the root cause when any fish gets ill.

Here are some possible health issues (and their treatment) that your chili rasboras could develop:

• Ich– Treat with medication or salt
• Columnaris- Treat with antibiotics, medication, or salt
• Fin rot– Treat with antibiotics or salt
• Pop-eye- Treat with Epsom salts

Whenever you are unsure, check my post about fish diseases and consult a veterinarian for more advice. A best practice is to quarantine your fish prior to putting them into a display tank. It’s more common with saltwater tanks, but it is also done in freshwater tanks, especially planted aquariums.

Where To Buy

Chili rasboras are popular fish that are available from many local pet and fish stores. There are a few very similar-looking species in the hobby though, so make sure you’re getting genuine chili/mosquito rasboras.

If you can’t find any chili rasboras locally, or just prefer the convenience of online shopping, these fish are available from a number of trusted online retailers.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Chili rasboras (Boraras brigittae) are one of the smallest tropical fish in the hobby. These stunning little fish are the perfect choice for fishkeepers who want a large number of fish but don’t have much room. Follow the tips in this guide to set up a great tank for your chili rasboras, and keep them happy and healthy.

Do you keep chili rasboras in your fish room? Tell us about your nano setup in the comments below!

Recommended Video

Check out our rasbora video where we cover the most popular rasboras in the hobby:

This guide is part of our Rasboras & Danios: Complete Species Directory. Visit the hub page to explore care guides for all popular rasbora and danio species.