Dwarf rasbora care guide
Also called: Spotted rasbora, Pygmy rasbora, Dwarf spotted rasbora, Spotted dwarf rasbora, Maculata rasbora
The dwarf rasbora, also called the spotted rasbora, is a tiny red-orange nano fish with dark spots that reaches about 1 in (2.5 cm). It's peaceful and shrimp-friendly, but it needs soft, acidic, stable water and a group of 10 or more.
Dwarf rasboras need a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 L), a group of 10 or more, and water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) with a pH of 5–6.5. They grow to about 2.5 cm (1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with dwarf rasborasSee all tank mates
Dwarf rasbora quick facts
| Scientific name | Boraras maculatus |
|---|---|
| Family | Danionidae |
| Origin | Peat swamp blackwater streams of Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, Bintan and eastern Sumatra |
| Adult size | 2.5 cm (1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons (38 L) |
| Temperature | 24–27°C (75–81°F) |
| pH | 5–6.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 1–6 dGH |
| Group size | 10 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
A densely planted 10-gallon (38 L) tank suits a school. Add floating plants, wood and leaf litter for shade and cover. Keep the flow gentle, use a sponge filter or a sponge over the intake, and only add them to a fully mature tank.
How many dwarf rasboras in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits dwarf rasboras is a 10 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Dwarf rasboras (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | 10–27 |
| 15 gallon | 10–41 |
| 20 gallon | 10–55 |
| 20 gallon long | 10–55 |
| 29 gallon | 10–79 |
| 40 gallon | 10–110 |
| 55 gallon | 10–151 |
| 75 gallon | 10–206 |
| 125 gallon | 10–344 |
What you need for dwarf rasboras
Sized for a 10 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 10 dwarf rasboras. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 10 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 50 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 40–60 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 25 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 20 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for dwarf rasboras
- Micro pellets or flakes for small fish (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small enough for tetras, rasboras and other nano fish.
- Indian almond leaves (opens Amazon in a new tab)Release tannins that soft-water fish like bettas and rams enjoy.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 24–27°C (75–81°F) in soft, acidic water: pH 5.0–6.5 and about 1–6 dGH. They come from tea-colored peat swamp streams and are sensitive to sudden changes and high nitrate. Small, regular water changes with water matched in temperature and hardness work best.
Best tank mates for dwarf rasboras
These popular species share dwarf rasboras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 59 good matches.
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Amano shrimp
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Chili rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ember tetra
2 cm (0.8 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)
Avoid keeping dwarf rasboras with
- Angelfish: Angelfish can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf rasbora 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Dwarf rasbora 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Blood parrot cichlid: Blood parrot cichlid can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Feeding
They are tiny hunters with very small mouths. Offer crushed flakes, micro pellets and powdered foods, plus baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops or microworms several times a week. Feed small amounts once or twice a day so no leftovers foul the water.
Behavior
Dwarf rasboras are peaceful but timid, and they do best alone or with other small, calm species. In groups of 10 or more they gain confidence and males show their brightest red. Good tank mates include chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras, otocinclus, kuhli loaches and dwarf shrimp. Avoid fast, boisterous fish like danios, which intimidate them.
Breeding
They scatter a few eggs among fine plants or moss nearly every day and give no parental care. A mature, mossy tank often raises some fry on its own. For more fry, place 2–3 well-fed pairs in a small, dim tank with java moss and soft, acidic water, then remove them after two days. Fry need infusoria first and baby brine shrimp after 7–10 days.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Don't confuse them with chili rasboras. Dwarf rasboras are orange-red with large dark spots.
- Almond leaves or other botanicals tint the water and give these shy fish extra cover.
- Add them only to a tank that has been running for a few months, not a newly cycled one.
- Great for shrimp tanks: adults are safe, though some newborn shrimplets may be eaten.
Frequently asked questions
How big do dwarf rasboras get?
Adults reach about 1 in (2.5 cm), and most stay a little smaller. It's one of the smallest fish kept in aquariums.
Is the dwarf rasbora the same as the chili rasbora?
No. Both are tiny Boraras species, but the dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus) has large dark spots on its side, while the chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) has a thin dark stripe and deeper red color. Their care is very similar.
Can dwarf rasboras live in hard water?
They do best in soft, acidic water. Farm-bred fish can adapt to moderately soft tap water, but in hard, alkaline water they show less color and rarely breed.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.