Microrasbora merah (Boraras merah)

Aquarium enthusiasts have come to love the small, colorful freshwater fish known as Microrasbora merah, or Boraras merah. Its vivid orange and red colors make it a visually arresting addition to any tank, bringing life and color to the underwater environment.

These fish are lively and gregarious despite their small size, and they do best in groups. They are a great fit for community tanks due to their peaceful nature, which allows them to live alongside other species of comparable size and temperament.

Because Microrasbora merah are easy to care for, aquarists of all skill levels can successfully raise them. These fish can live long and happy lives and add beauty and joy to your aquarium if the proper conditions are met and their needs are met.

Feature	Description
Scientific Name	Boraras merah
Common Name	Microrasbora merah
Size	Up to 2 cm
Tank Size	Minimum 10 liters
Water Temperature	22-28°C (72-82°F)
pH Level	5.0-7.0
Diet	Omnivorous
Behavior	Peaceful, schooling fish
Lifespan	2-3 years

Habitat and habitat

Asia, Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia.

It is unique to Borneo’s southern region. These kinds of samples were gathered in the Jelei-Bil River basin in Natayk Sedavak, Indonesia, most likely in a settlement close to the city of Sukamar in the Kalimantan-Tenga province (Central Kalimantan).

Sungei Jelai-Bila, 2° 41"S, 111° 13"E, Nataik Sedawak, roughly 30 kilometers south of Sukamar, Kalimantan-Tengah, Borneo, is the location where the specimens were collected.

They can be found sympatrically (in the same habitat) with their relative Boraras brigitta, whose range extends eastward, and theirs extends west of the Jelai-Bila watershed.

Inhabits "black water" rivulets and streams connected to old forest peat bogs. The tannins and other chemicals released from decomposing organic matter, such as fallen leaves and branches, give the water its brown hue.

Because of the overhanging forest canopy, these environments are characterized by extremely soft (slightly hard), acidic (pH up to 4.0), and frequently very poorly illuminated water. Because of human activity, most of Southeast Asia’s biotopes are seriously threatened.

Description

It draws attention with its striking coloring; the gill covers have pink markings, the lateral line is orange-red with a dark spot, the abdomen is translucent, and the back of the fish is light brown.

With a broken stripe running along the back of the body and a dark oblong spot on the side, the overall background is slightly reddish. smaller, darker patches near the caudal and anal fin bases.

Males have a strong red outline that highlights a dark mark along the front edge of their anal and dorsal fins.

Size

15 to 20 mm is the maximum standard length.

The tiny, vividly colored freshwater fish known as Microrasbora Merah, or Boraras merah, is well-liked by aquarium enthusiasts for its tranquil disposition and vivid red color. These fish, who are native to Southeast Asia, do best in peaceful, well-kept planted aquariums. Because of their amiable nature, they make great additions to community tanks. They are a lovely complement to any aquarium setup because of their diminutive size and striking appearance.

Behavior and compatibility

Despite the peaceful nature of this species, the fish’s small size and timid nature make it unsuitable for community aquariums. The best way to care for them is to keep them apart or in groups with other small species like Otocinclus, Microrasbora Kubotai, Rasbora Axelrod, Danio Dracula (Danionella dracula), Eight-striped Barb, Wedge-spotted Rasboras, Pygmy Corydoras, and small loricaria.

They are great companions for timid Labyrinth/Crawler fish like Chocolate Gourami, Parosfromenus Gourami, or smaller Betta species. They can also be kept with freshwater shrimp from the genera Caridina and Neocaridina in an aquarium that is well-planted.

Since this is a schooling species by nature, it is best to keep it in groups of no fewer than eight or ten. Maintaining a reasonable population of this species will not only help the fish become less timid, but it will also give the fish a more amazing and organic appearance. In an attempt to attract female attention, males will compete with one another by showcasing their best coloration and more interesting behavior.

Aquarium

This fish is small, but it still needs room to swim, and during spawning, dominant males establish temporary territories, so it is best to keep the group in a container that is at least 45 by 30 cm in basic dimensions.

Best kept in an aquarium with lots of plants, which is a fantastic option for a well-planned setup. A more natural appearance can be achieved by including a few floating plants, roots, or branches to diffuse the light entering the tank.

Given that this fish is primarily found in slow-moving waters and must contend with swift currents, the filter shouldn’t be too strong.

An intriguing solution to observe it at its best would be a biotope aquarium. The best substrate is soft sand, to which branches and roots can be added and arranged to create lots of shaded areas. If the desired shape is not available in driftwood, you can safely use common beech or oak, provided the bark is removed and the wood is thoroughly dried.

By including dried leaves, you can further accentuate their natural appearance and encourage the growth of microorganism colonies as they break down. Blackwater fish species are believed to benefit from the tannins released by decomposing leaves, and these microscopic organisms can offer fry a valuable secondary food source. You can either remove and replace the leaves every few weeks, or you can leave them in the aquarium until they break down.

To replicate the lighting conditions that fish would experience in the wild, a reasonably low light level should be employed. You can include aquarium plants like Pteridophyta, Java Moss, or Cryptocorynes that can endure these circumstances. Because Microrasbora are sensitive to changes in water parameters, it is not advisable to put them in an aquarium that is not yet mature biologically.

Water parameters

Temperature: 20–28°C; Hardness: 1–10° DH; pH: 4.0–6.5.

Weekly water changes and weak filtration and aeration are advised.

Feeding

It is probably a micropredator, similar to other Boraras species, consuming small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton in the wild.

They will take dry food in the aquarium as long as it is the right size, but they shouldn’t be fed nothing but it. A daily diet of high-quality flakes and pellets, along with small live and frozen foods like Daphnia, Artemia, and Cyclops, will intensify the coloration and encourage the fish to spawn.

Sexual Dimorphism

Noticeably rounder and typically slightly larger than males, mature females are. Generally speaking, men are more attractive, and those who are dominant tend to have the brightest, most intense coloring.

Breeding

This species of fish, like many other small cyprinids, leaves its eggs unattended, where they stick to plants, other objects, or the bottom. That is to say, only a small number of eggs will be laid each day when both male and female mature fish are present in the aquarium and in good health. Consequently, a few fry may emerge in a planted aquarium on their own without your help.

But if you want to get more fry, you’ll need to use a little more restrained method. A group of mature fish is prepared collectively, and one or more small aquariums (10–15 liters) will also be required.

To prevent the manufacturers from reaching the eggs, they should have very weak lighting and either a naked bottom or some sort of grid so that the eggs that don’t stick to the plants can fall through.

Additionally useful and highly effective is herbal coating made of widely used plastic. The water itself should have a pH of 5.0–6.5, a DH of 1–5, and a temperature in the upper range of the previously suggested range.

Half of the empty space must be filled with a sizable bunch of Javanese moss or other small-leaved plants. Although it’s not required, you are welcome to use a tiny sponge air filter if you’d like.

After that, the spawning tank receives two or three pairs of trained breeders. If everything is in place, they should start to spawn the next morning, so it’s best to move slowly to prevent needless stress.

Like many other small cyprinids, this species is not particularly active in hunting for its eggs, despite the fact that it will undoubtedly consume them. After spawning starts, it never stops.

The pair(s) should only be removed after a few days of being in their current location, since the first larvae hatch the second day following the original spawning. For about a day more, the tiny fry survive on their yolk sacs; after that, they need Paramecium or another type of microfood.

They ought to develop to the point where they can take in microworms, Artemia nauplii, etc. after 7 to 10 days. Other fry from later spawnings start to show up as the days pass. To prevent the fry from suffering needless shock, it is advisable to hold off on making small water changes for a week or two.

An aquarium’s lifespan is roughly five years.

The tiny but colorful Microrasbora merah, also known as Boraras merah, is a fish that brings a pop of color to any aquarium. It is a great option for community tanks because of its small size and calm personality, especially when combined with other small, non-aggressive species.

It’s crucial to give these fish a lushly planted tank that closely resembles their natural habitat if you want to keep them content and healthy. They will thrive and show off their best colors if you provide them with a varied diet and soft, slightly acidic water.

All things considered, Microrasbora merah is an excellent addition to any aquarium, providing beauty and vibrancy without taking up a lot of room. These fish can be the focal point of your aquatic setup and a pleasure to watch with the correct care.

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