Boraras merah (“Phoenix Rasbora” / “Red Micro Rasbora”)

Imported on 2/27/26, shipping start on 3/9/26

IUCN Red List: Not Evaluated

Important note: These fish are wild-caught, please proceed with caution.

Boraras merah (“Phoenix Rasbora” / “Red Micro Rasbora”)

Boraras merah is a tiny, brilliantly colored nano rasbora native to the peat swamp forests and slow-moving blackwater streams of Borneo and parts of Sumatra (Indonesia). In the wild, they inhabit shallow, tannin-stained waters thick with leaf litter and submerged roots, where the water is extremely soft and acidic. Males develop intense fiery red to orange coloration with darker body markings, especially when in breeding condition, while females are slightly larger and rounder with more subdued tones. When kept in proper blackwater conditions and large groups, their color and natural behavior truly shine.

Size:
Adults reach approximately 1.5–2 cm (≈ 0.6–0.8″) total length.

Water parameters:
Soft, acidic blackwater conditions are strongly recommended.
pH 4.0 – 6.5
GH ≤ 4 °d
KH ≤ 2 °d
TDS < 120 ppm
Provide gentle flow, dense plant cover, floating plants, and botanicals such as leaf litter and driftwood to replicate their natural peat-swamp habitat.

Temperature:
24 – 28 °C (75 – 82 °F); stability is important due to their small size and sensitivity.

Food:
Micro-predators. Feed small live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, microworms, and finely crushed high-quality micro pellets.
They have very small mouths — food size must be appropriate.

Important note:
Due to their small size, Boraras merah are sensitive to poor water quality and sudden parameter swings. A mature, stable aquarium is strongly recommended. Keep them in groups of at least 8–10 individuals; larger groups (15+) will display better color and more natural schooling behavior. Dim lighting and dark substrate will significantly enhance their red coloration.

Tankmates:
Best kept with other tiny, peaceful soft-water species such as small Parosphromenus, Sundadanio, or other Boraras species.
Avoid larger or boisterous fish.
They thrive in calm, heavily planted aquariums with minimal competition for food.

Breeding:
Egg scatterers. In well-conditioned, densely planted or leaf-litter-rich aquariums, they may spawn naturally without intervention. Eggs are scattered among fine-leaved plants or botanicals and receive no parental care.
Eggs typically hatch within 24–36 hours, and fry become free-swimming shortly after.
Feed fry infusoria or commercially prepared liquid fry food initially, followed by baby brine shrimp as they grow.

Providing heavy plant cover and leaf litter increases fry survival in display aquariums.