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FishbeginnerFreshwater

Strawberry Rasbora

Boraras naevus

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygiiCypriniformesCyprinidae

📍 Southern Thailand

Ask Finn

A tiny, jewel-like rasbora with a warm strawberry-red body and a distinctive dark blotch. One of the smallest aquarium fish, it shines in nano planted tanks. Schools beautifully and pairs well with shrimp and other peaceful nano species.

Size0.7"
Min Tank5g
School8+
peaceful
Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Strawberry Rasboras are omnivores that require a varied diet of small foods. Feed high-quality micro pellets, crushed flakes, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia once daily in small portions. Supplement occasionally with blanched vegetables like spinach to ensure balanced nutrition.

Behavior

These tiny rasboras are active schooling fish that display their best colors and behavior when kept in groups of at least 8 individuals. They are peaceful and timid, preferring densely planted tanks with subdued lighting where they feel secure. They occupy the mid-water column and are most active during dawn and dusk hours.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very soft, acidic water (pH 4.5-5.5), dense vegetation for egg scattering, and pristine water conditions. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods.

Common Diseases

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich medication; treat for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pristine conditions as this species is sensitive to poor water quality

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Cloudy eyes, open sores, loss of color, appetite loss, torn fins

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, maintain excellent water quality and temperature stability

Stress-Related Illness

Symptoms

Faded coloration, hiding constantly, loss of appetite, rapid gill movement

Treatment

Ensure group of at least 8 fish, provide dense vegetation for security, maintain stable water parameters (pH 5.0-7.0, soft water), reduce tank disturbances

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Quick Facts

diet
Micro omnivore – micro pellets, crushed flake, baby brine shrimp
lifespan
2–3 years
max size
2 cm (0.8 in)
tank size
5 gallons minimum
school size
10+
temperament
Peaceful, schooling

Water it likes

ph
5.0–7.0
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
1–8 dGH
temperature
72–81°F (22–27°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists