A tiny, colorful fish that has won over many aquarium enthusiasts is the Microrasbora. These fish are a favorite choice for novice and expert aquarists alike because, in spite of their small size, they add vibrant color and lively movement to any aquarium.
Microrasboras, which are well-known for being peaceful, are ideal for community tanks. They thrive in groups and get along well with other small, non-aggressive species, giving the aquarium a lively and peaceful presence.
With just a clean tank, ideal water, and a well-balanced diet, these fish are comparatively simple to care for. They are a great option for people who want to add some beauty and activity to their aquatic environment because of their hardiness and adaptability.
| Feature | Description |
| Size | Microrasboras are small, usually growing to about 2-3 cm in length. |
| Behavior | They are peaceful and do well in community tanks with other small fish. |
| Water Conditions | Prefer soft, slightly acidic water with temperatures between 22-28°C. |
| Diet | They eat small foods like micro-pellets, flakes, and live or frozen daphnia. |
| Lifespan | Microrasboras typically live for 3-5 years when properly cared for. |
Aquarists often choose the Microrasbora, a small, colorful aquarium fish with striking colors and a calming disposition. These little fish are happy to show off their natural schooling behavior in well-planted tanks with soft, slightly acidic water. Both novice and expert fish keepers who wish to add some color to their tanks can use them because, despite their delicate appearance, they are relatively easy to care for.
- Diversity of species microrasbora
- Care and maintenance
- Basic feeding rules
- Reproduction and spawning of microrasboras
- How to distinguish a female from a male?
- What you need to know about the compatibility of microrasbora?
- Video on the topic
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Diversity of species microrasbora
Here, the most well-known and prevalent species of these amazing fish will be represented:
| Galaxy Microrasbora (Danio margaritatus), Starry | The body is gray with characteristic yellow spots, the fins have a noticeable edging of red, orange colors. Length 2 cm. |
| Spotted (Boraras makulatus) | Grows up to 2 cm, has an orange or red color, dark spots are clearly visible on them. |
| Brigitte, Mosquito Rasbora (Boraras brigitta) | Distinguished by its orange, red color, along the body there is a stripe of dark blue color, shiny. Grows up to one and a half cm. |
| Ribbon (Mikrorasbora erithromikron) | Has an orange color, along the entire body there are blue, blue vertical stripes. Reaches a length of 2-2.5 cm. |
| Kubotai (Mikrorasbora kubotai) | Distinguished by a characteristic delicate light green color, fins are almost colorless, can grow up to 2.5-3 cm. |
| Merah | They have a light gray (sometimes golden) general background, on which there may be blackish or dark green spots with a red, orange border located on the side from the center of the body to the base of the tail. They are up to 2 cm. |
| Maculates | The body is pale red with an orange coating, in the very center of both halves of the body there is a large black spot. There are also 2 pigment spots. Half of the fins are red, the other half is colorless, and the bottom is pale pink. Length 2.5 cm. |
| Green Carplet, Glowing Carplet (Horadandia atukorali) | Characterized by a golden color, there is a green sheen. Grow up to two centimeters. |
| Dracula | There is a golden coating on the head, and the entire body, especially the fins, are almost transparent, all the insides of the fish are clearly visible. In males, outgrowths similar to teeth are visible in the mouth, some have visible fangs. Size only up to 1 cm. |
| Erythromicron, Emerald Dwarf Rasbora | Along the body alternating vertical pale blue, pinkish (orange or cream) stripes, head of characteristic honey shade. Some of the fins are red, and the ends are completely transparent (or greenish). The tail base has a black spot. Reaches 2.5-2.7 cm in length. |
Any species you select will be lovely and distinctive in its own right.
Care and maintenance
Maintaining and caring for microrasbora is simple enough even for a novice. However, it wouldn’t be unnecessary to become acquainted with the fundamental prerequisites and guidelines:
- It is better to select a container based on the size of the flock, it is undesirable to crowd them: count on at least a liter of water per individual.
- The jumping ability of the fish requires a top cover.
- Need weekly replacement of one third of the total water volume.
- Ensure good filtration and aeration, but avoid too much fluidity.
- Periodic high-quality cleaning of the contents of the container.
- Use both floating and fixed plants, create a large number of places for shelter (emptiness makes them timid).
- Create a substrate of sand at least three centimeters thick.
- Use of various snags, small stones, caves for decoration.
Steer clear of bright lighting as well.
Basic feeding rules
The nutritional value of almost all microrasbora varieties is quite low-key, but you still need to balance it by mixing and matching live, frozen, and dry food. Apart from the obvious health advantages of fish, you can also enhance their color: pets’ colors will be even more vibrant. The following live foods can be given to them:
- bloodworms;
- daphnia;
- tubifex;
- nematodes;
- brine shrimp;
- cyclops;
- small insects;
- small bloodworms, etc.
You can feed specific mixes made for carp species and small fish made from dry food.
To prevent stress, it is preferable to feed recently acquired fish live food in an environment similar to their natural habitat. Artificial food should be added to the diet after the body has fully adapted to its new environment, rather than right away.
It is best to grind or crush the food particles in advance once they are large enough.
Furthermore, feeding flakes to microrasboras is not advised. Giving them food should only be done twice a day because of their propensity for obesity. Small and mobile fish will always find food for themselves.
Reproduction and spawning of microrasboras
The fish take three months to reach sexual maturity. They reproduce year-round in aquariums and don’t spawn in the absence of stimulation. This species lays eggs and doesn’t give a damn about its progeny in the future.
If there is enough green algae in their tank, microrasboras can reproduce there. Nevertheless, setting up a separate spawning tank with a capacity of 10–15 liters and filling it with aquarium water is necessary to produce quality offspring. To keep people from eating their eggs, moss bedding or a protective net made of nylon threads is placed on the bottom, some greenery is added, and a lid with air access is closed. It is not necessary to lighten and filter the spawning tank in addition; very little aeration is used. The additional plan of action:
- One pair or a group of two males and several females is selected and carefully moved to the prepared spawning tank using a disinfected cup.
- First, the females are released, then the males (after 3 hours).
- Mating games continue for several days, one female can lay up to 30 eggs.
- Then the fish need to be transplanted back into the common tank before they have time to eat their eggs.
- The incubation period of the eggs lasts three days, then they are attached to the walls of the container and will remain motionless for up to four days.
- After they begin to move independently, you need to start feeding them with infusoria, green water, microworms.
It is not advised to feed the fries with dry mixtures.
For three months, microrasbora fry grow and develop slowly. The distinctive hue doesn’t emerge until about week twelve.
How to distinguish a female from a male?
Even though sexual dimorphism is very weakly expressed in members of this species, it is still possible to tell a male from a female, especially during mating season when the females’ body outlines become larger and more rounded and the males’ coloring becomes even more intense.
In general, females have less color in their pelvic fins, are smaller, and are paler than males. Men frequently swim around women in an attempt to win their favor and court them. They have the ability to plan "fights" among themselves.
What you need to know about the compatibility of microrasbora?
Despite being a peaceful species, males of this particular species can become aggressive towards one another during the mating season. Generally speaking, they get along well with other species that are roughly the same size and behavior; larger and predatory individuals make bad neighbors.
Microrasboras, with their vivid colors and energetic behavior, are a delightful addition to any aquarium. These little fish are great for hobbyists who like to watch lively and peaceful aquatic environments because they grow well in groups and are perfect for community tanks.
Because they are generally hardy and adapt well to different water conditions, their care is simple. They will remain active and healthy if you provide them a balanced diet and a well-planted tank.
Microrasboras are a beautiful and peaceful plant that can quickly become a favorite in any aquarium. They are a great option for both novice and seasoned aquarists, adding a touch of beauty and tranquility to your aquatic world.
