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Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — Cyprinidae

Chili rasbora

Boraras brigittae
Family: Cyprinidae

The Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia

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Description

The chili rasbora is one of the smallest cyprinids (Cyprinidae), from blackwater peat swamps of southwestern Borneo. The species stays about 3 cm long and has a slender, bright-red body with a dark longitudinal stripe. It lives in large schools in soft, acidic, tea-coloured water among water plants and eats very small zooplankton and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans and is much loved in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chili rasbora?

The Chili rasbora has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Chili rasbora live?

The Chili rasbora lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Chili rasbora get?

The Chili rasbora grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the Chili rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Chili rasbora is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Fantomeno 14 (CC0)
Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — JoKrimmel (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Atulbhats (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — JoKrimmel (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Chili rasbora sourced
Scientific name
Boraras brigittae
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Average length (cm)
1.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Boraras

More from the family Cyprinidae

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