The brilliant rasbora (Rasbora einthovenii) is a beautiful, peaceful, and easy to care for freshwater fish.
They’re a perfect addition to any community tank, and make great tank mates for a variety of different fish.
Rasboras are also one of the few fish that can be kept in a shoal (a group) of just their own species. So if you’re looking for a fish that you can keep in a group, this is a great option.
In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about brilliant rasbora care. Tank size, diet, tank mates, and more.
Table of contents
Species overview
The brilliant rasbora (scientific name: Boraras brigittae) is a small freshwater fish that’s native to Indonesia. More specifically, they can be found in the island of Sumatra.
They prefer blackwater environments with very little current and a lot of plants. This is something to keep in mind when setting up their tank as they’ll need a lot of hiding places and areas to explore.
The brilliant rasbora is a very peaceful fish that does well with a wide variety of tank mates. They are, however, quite shy so it’s important to not have too many other fish in their tank.
These fish are very popular in the aquarium scene due to their beautiful coloration. They are a bright red color with a black stripe running down their side.
Appearance
The Brilliant rasbora is one of those fish that is absolutely stunning to look at. They’re a deep crimson color that looks almost like it’s been painted on.
This coloration is solid all over their body with a few exceptions. The first is a small black spot that’s located on their dorsal fin (right above where it meets the body). The second is a horizontal black stripe that runs along their side. This stripe is usually broken up into a few smaller sections.
The fins on this fish are all very beautiful as well. The dorsal and anal fins are both long and elegant with a bit of a ruffled appearance. The caudal fin is forked and also very pretty.
All of the fins on the Brilliant rasbora have a bit of black on them which really makes them stand out.
These fish have a very slender body shape that tapers down towards the tail. This gives them a very sleek appearance that’s quite elegant.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a brilliant rasbora in captivity is around 3 to 5 years. As with most fish, there are a number of things that impact their life expectancy.
If they’re kept in subpar conditions then their lifespan will be shorter. This is especially true if the water quality is poor.
A good diet is also important for these fish. They need to have a nutritious diet in order to live a long and healthy life.
Size
The maximum size of a Brilliant rasbora is about 2 inches in length when fully grown. It’s not uncommon for these fish to stop growing at 1 inch depending on their level of care and genetic factors.
Tank
Tank Size
The minimum tank size for brilliant rasboras is 10 gallons. This is assuming you’re keeping them in a school of at least 5 or 6 fish (which you should).
We personally recommend a slightly larger tank if you can accommodate it. Every extra space will make a big difference and allow you to keep a larger school or more tank mates if you’re interested in a community tank.
Water Parameters
The brilliant rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli) is a small, peaceful fish that does well in a community aquarium. It is a hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
The preferred water parameters for the brilliant rasbora are:
- Water temperature: 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.0-7.5
- Water hardness: 5-19 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 3-10 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
When it comes to setting up an aquarium for Brilliant Rasboras, there are a few key things you need to take into account.
First and foremost, these fish come from slow-moving rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. This means that they’re used to a lot of vegetation and not a lot of rocks or other decorations.
You’ll want to make sure that there’s plenty of plant life in their tank. This can be real plants or fake plants, it doesn’t really matter. Just make sure that there’s enough for them to feel comfortable and safe.
We also recommend a soft substrate for these fish. Sand or gravel is fine, but avoid anything too sharp or abrasive.
As for other decorations, feel free to add in some driftwood or rocks if you’d like. Just don’t go overboard since these fish like to have a lot of open space to swim around in.
Common Diseases
The brilliant rasbora is a hardy fish that doesn’t usually fall ill. However, there are still a few diseases that you should be aware of.
The most common disease that affects this species is ich. This is a parasite that will attach itself to your fish and cause white spots to form on their body.
If left untreated, ich can be fatal. However, it’s relatively easy to treat if you catch it early.
Other potential diseases include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and parasites. These are all relatively rare but can still occur if your fish are kept in poor water conditions.
As always, the best way to prevent your fish from getting sick is to provide them with a clean and stable habitat. Regular water changes and filtration will go a long way in keeping your fish healthy and disease-free.
Behavior & Temperament
The brilliant rasbora is a schooling fish, which means it does best when it’s in a group. In the wild, these fish can be found in large schools of hundreds or even thousands of fish.
While they can survive in smaller groups, they will be much happier and less stressed if they’re in a school of at least six of their own kind.
These fish are very peaceful and get along well with other tank mates. They prefer to stick to the middle and top levels of the tank, so they’re often seen swimming in the open water.
The brilliant rasbora is an active fish that loves to explore its environment. It’s not uncommon to see them chasing each other or playing with toys in the tank. They’re also known to be very curious, so they may approach you when you’re near the tank!
Tank Mates
The brilliant rasbora is a fairly small fish, which means that it can be kept in a wide range of tanks. Even a 5-gallon tank is large enough to house a school of these fish.
Of course, the bigger the tank, the better. But you don’t need anything too fancy to keep them healthy and happy.
These fish are also peaceful, so they can be kept with a wide range of tank mates. Brilliant rasboras do best in a community tank with other small fish.
Some compatible tank mates include:
- Neon Tetras
- Cardinal Tetras
- Ember Tetras
- Ghost Shrimp
- Cherry Shrimp
- Guppies
- Platies
- Mollies
Breeding
These little fish are easy to breed and make a great addition to any community tank. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
To start, you’ll need a breeding tank that’s at least 10 gallons. It should be well-planted with plenty of hiding places. The temperature should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
When ready, add two males for every female. You can sex them by looking for the long dorsal fins on the males.
The males will chase the females around and nip at their fins. This is normal behavior and nothing to worry about.
Once the female is ready to spawn, she’ll lay her eggs on a leaf or in a crevice. The male will then fertilize them.
Eggs will hatch in about 24 hours. You can remove the adults at this point. The fry will feed on microscopic organisms in the water. You can supplement their diet with baby brine shrimp or other live foods.
As they grow, you can start to introduce them to flake food. They should be ready to move to the main tank within a few months.
Conclusion
The Brilliant Rasbora is a beautiful and peaceful fish that is perfect for the beginner aquarist. They are very easy to care for and will do well in a community tank with other peaceful fish.
They are also a very hardy fish and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, which makes them perfect for those who are just starting out in the hobby.
Overall, we think the Brilliant Rasbora is an excellent choice for the beginner aquarist and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a peaceful and low-maintenance fish for their tank.
