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Boraras brigittae, also known as the Mosquito Chili Rasbora, is a tiny cyprinid native to southern Borneo. Its small size, vivid red coloration, and dark lateral stripe have made it a favorite for planted aquariums and blackwater-style setups. Despite its delicate appearance, it is an active schooling fish that benefits greatly from being kept in a group. It prefers warm, soft, slightly acidic water, gentle filtration, and a heavily planted environment. Its very small mouth requires suitably sized foods, ideally fine particles and tiny live or frozen prey. With stable water and compatible tank mates, it can be a colorful and engaging nano-fish.

General species description

Boraras brigittae is one of the smallest members of the family Cyprinidae. It swims in open water, usually close to plants and leaf litter, where its reddish body blends with the amber tones of its surroundings. It is very common in the aquarium trade, but its small size requires care when selecting tank mates. It should be kept in a group of at least 8 to 10 individuals; larger groups encourage natural behavior and stronger coloration. Males display to one another and occupy small areas without serious aggression. A mature, well-planted, biologically stable aquarium is preferable to a bare tank or one with excessive water movement. Its peaceful nature makes it suitable for communities containing very small fish and compatible invertebrates.

Geographical origin and biotope

Reference country: Indonesia. The species is associated with southern Borneo, particularly South Kalimantan around Banjarmasin. It inhabits shallow forest streams, ditches, and swampy areas connected to slow-flowing waterways. These habitats may be influenced by peatlands, with soft, mineral-poor water stained by tannins released from leaves and wood. The bottom commonly consists of mud, fine sand, plant debris, and roots. Dense vegetation along the banks creates shade and limits direct sunlight. In an aquarium, catappa leaves, driftwood, floating plants, and subdued lighting can reproduce several of these conditions. Good water quality remains essential, however, even in a blackwater-style setup, and sudden changes in temperature or chemistry should be avoided.

Precise location and local name

The reference locality lies around Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo in Indonesia. Boraras brigittae is generally known through aquarium and international trade names rather than through one broadly standardized Indonesian vernacular name. Mosquito Rasbora, Chili Rasbora, and Mosquito Chili Rasbora are common English names. In French-speaking aquarium communities, Rasbora chili and Boraras brigittae are widely used. These trade names mainly describe the fish’s tiny size and red coloration and should not be assumed to represent traditional names used uniformly by every community within its natural range.

Appearance and physical characteristics

Boraras brigittae has a slender, elongated body that is slightly compressed from side to side. Its coloration ranges from orange-red to ruby red, with a dark black or brown lateral stripe running along the flank. Depending on lighting and condition, a bluish or silvery line may accent this stripe. The fins are translucent and may show red coloration, while adult males generally display the brightest colors. Females are often slightly larger and deeper-bodied, with less intense coloration and a rounder abdomen. Maximum adult size is about 2.5 cm. Soft lighting, a dark substrate, and dense plants bring out its colors while helping the fish feel secure.

General diet

In nature, Boraras brigittae feeds on tiny organisms found in the water column and among aquatic plants, including zooplankton, small crustaceans, and other minute invertebrates. In aquariums, it accepts quality dry foods as long as they are ground into very fine particles. Baby brine shrimp, cyclops, small daphnia, and finely chopped frozen foods encourage natural hunting behavior and support good coloration. Small portions once or twice daily are preferable to one large feeding. Foods that sink rapidly may be less accessible because the species usually feeds in the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. A varied diet also helps females maintain good condition before spawning.

Essential data

• Original river name: Drainage basin around Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan
• Local name used: Boraras brigittae in Indonesian and international aquarium exchanges
• Origin of the scientific name: Boraras is an anagram of Rasbora; brigittae is a feminine specific name
• Complete name etymology: Boraras rearranges the letters of Rasbora; brigittae honors a person named Brigitte
• Common/vernacular names: Chili Rasbora, Mosquito Rasbora, Mosquito Chili Rasbora
• Family: Cyprinidae
• Subfamily: Danioninae
• Name pronunciation: boh-RAH-rass brig-IT-tee-eye
• Discovery: Dieter Vogt, 1978
• Maximum adult size: About 2.5 cm
• Water temperature and pH: 24 to 28 °C; generally pH 4.0 to 7.0
• Watercourse appearance and surrounding vegetation: Shaded, slow-flowing streams, sometimes tannin-stained, with dense marginal vegetation, roots, and leaf litter
• Typical tank mates: Boraras merah, Betta coccina, Trigonostigma heteromorpha, Pangio semicincta
• Temperament and behavior: Peaceful, schooling, active, and more confident when kept in a group
• Water depth: Shallow areas, commonly from a few centimeters to about 50 cm
• Sexual dimorphism: Males are smaller and more colorful; females are larger with a rounder abdomen
• Bottom structure and flow: Mud, fine sand, leaves, and roots; low to moderate flow

In your aquarium

Success with Boraras brigittae depends on a mature, well-planted aquarium with a secure cover and enough open swimming space. Keep it in a group and provide warm, soft, stable water, moderate flow, and subdued lighting filtered by floating plants. A dark substrate, roots, and a small amount of leaf litter encourage natural behavior. Avoid much larger or boisterous tank mates, which may stress the fish or treat it as prey. A varied selection of very small foods, offered in modest portions, completes a successful maintenance plan and helps preserve both health and coloration.