Product Details

Dwarf Rasbora – Boraras maculatus

The Dwarf Rasbora is a tiny, peaceful shoaling fish with warm red-orange colour, delicate dark spotting and a lively but gentle nature. Also sold as the Pygmy Rasbora, Spotted Rasbora or under the older name Rasbora maculata, this miniature species is best suited to mature planted aquariums, blackwater-style nano displays and calm communities with very small tank mates. Its small size makes it appealing for compact aquascapes, but it needs stable water, fine foods and a proper group to thrive.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Dwarf Rasbora
Other Names: Pygmy Rasbora, Spotted Rasbora, Dwarf Spotted Rasbora
Scientific Name: Boraras maculatus
Older / Trade Name: Rasbora maculata
Fish Type: Rasbora / Shoaling Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Boraras maculatus is native to Southeast Asia, including parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Thailand. It is associated with quiet forest streams, peat swamp habitats, shallow pools and slow-moving acidic waters where vegetation, leaf litter and submerged roots provide cover.

These habitats are often soft, tannin-stained and shaded, with very small food items available among plants and organic debris. In the aquarium, Dwarf Rasboras do best in a mature planted setup with gentle flow, subdued lighting, floating plants and stable water conditions.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Dwarf Rasboras are among the smallest commonly kept aquarium fish. They have a slim, delicate body with red, orange or copper tones and several dark blotches or spots along the body, usually including a more obvious central body mark.

Colour intensity varies with sex, age, diet, lighting and confidence. Males are often slimmer and more brightly coloured, while females are usually fuller-bodied, especially when mature. Adults usually reach around 2–2.5 cm, making them a true nano fish.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to mature planted nano aquariums, blackwater-inspired displays and peaceful micro-community tanks. It looks especially good in aquariums with dark substrate, fine-leaved plants, floating plants, driftwood and gentle tannin staining.

Dwarf Rasboras are very peaceful, but their tiny size means they can easily be stressed, outcompeted or eaten by larger fish. They are not suitable for busy general community aquariums with boisterous tank mates.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 40 litres for a group, with 50–60 litres or more preferred for better stability and a larger shoal.

Keep in a group of at least 8–10, with 12 or more preferred where space allows. Larger groups help the fish feel secure, improve colour and create more natural shoaling behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Dwarf Rasboras show their best colour in soft, slightly acidic, mature aquariums with gentle flow and stable water quality. Avoid unstable new tanks, harsh lighting, strong current and sudden water changes.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Dwarf Rasboras are peaceful, timid shoaling fish. Suitable tank mates include other tiny peaceful species such as small Boraras, small ember-style tetras, peaceful shrimp in planted aquariums, Otocinclus, pygmy cory-type catfish and very small rasboras that enjoy similar calm conditions.

Avoid large fish, aggressive species, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, large gourami, cichlids and fast-feeding tank mates that may outcompete them. They should not be kept singly or in small numbers, as this can make them nervous and dull in colour.

Feeding:

Dwarf Rasboras are tiny omnivorous micropredators. In nature, they feed on very small invertebrates such as tiny worms, crustaceans and insect larvae. In the aquarium, offer crushed fine flakes, micro pellets, powdered fry foods and small floating or slow-sinking foods.

Supplement with suitably sized frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, microworms and vinegar eels. Their mouths are extremely small, so food size is important. Feed small amounts that are eaten quickly to protect water quality in nano aquariums.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a gentle shoaling fish that spends most of its time in the middle and upper areas of the aquarium, moving among plants and open spaces in loose groups. When settled, males may display brighter colour and compete subtly with each other without serious aggression.

Dwarf Rasboras can be shy in bright, bare tanks but become much more visible in planted aquariums with floating cover. Breeding may occur in mature, soft-water setups, with eggs scattered among fine plants or moss, although adults may eat eggs and fry.

Care Notes:

Use a mature, stable aquarium and avoid adding this species to a brand-new setup. Provide gentle filtration, fine foods, planted cover and peaceful tank mates of similar size.

Because they are very small, Dwarf Rasboras are sensitive to poor water quality, sudden changes and rough handling. Regular small water changes are better than large disruptive ones. A dark, well-planted aquarium with subdued lighting will help them show their best colour and confidence.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Usually commercially bred or farmed, with wild imports sometimes available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.