Boraras maculatus "dwarf rasbora"

A very small nano black water fish that inhabit black water swamps. They belong to the family Cyprinidae and are some of the smallest fish in the aquarium trade. They make great tank mates for other black water fishes such as licorice gouramis or small mouthbrooding bettas like Betta Channoides and Albimarginata. Their best coloration comes when you have them in dimly lilted habitat stained with tannins. They prefer soft acidic water with ph as low as 4.5. To have the best coloration it is prefer that you keep them in schools of 10 or more.

Difficulty: intermediate, they are easy to keep once the aquarium is stable. But due to their small delicate nature and the fact that they required soft water to really thrive. They are not recommended for beginners.

Distribution and habitat: Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra) and South-east Thailand. Black waters in peat swamp forests.

Size: Boraras maculatus typically reach a maximum size of 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length, making them one of the smallest aquarium fish.

Appearance: The body of Boraras maculatus is elongated with a golden or yellow color along its body. They have a distinctive pattern of dark spots along their sides and a red or orange stripe on their fins.

Tank requirements: Prefer a densely planted aquarium with plenty of hiding places, such as rocks and driftwood.

PH: 4.5 - 6.5

TDS: 0-60

water temperature: of 22-26°C (72-79°F)

Diet: In the wild, Boraras maculatus feed on small invertebrates and insects. In the aquarium, they will accept a variety of foods, including flake food, freeze-dried or frozen foods, and small live foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia.

Behavior: Boraras maculatus are peaceful and social fish that do well in small groups of 6-8 individuals. They are active swimmers and spend most of their time in the middle and upper levels of the aquarium.

Breeding: Dwarf Rasboras are egg-layers and breeding can be difficult in captivity. They require very soft and acidic water, as well as a densely planted aquarium with fine-leaved plants such as Java moss.