Fish comparison
Chili Rasbora vs German Blue Ram
How the Chili Rasbora and German Blue Ram compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Chili Rasbora vs German Blue Ram
The Chili Rasbora and the German Blue Ram come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 26 to 28 °C and pH 5 to 6.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Chili Rasbora is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the German Blue Ram rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Chili Rasbora needs less room to feel settled; give the German Blue Ram the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
2 notes
Temperature
- Chili Rasbora24–28 °C
- German Blue Ram26–29 °C
pH
- Chili Rasbora4–6.5
- German Blue Ram5–7
Hardness
- Chili Rasbora1–4 dGH
- German Blue Ram1–8 dGH
What to plan for
- Chili Rasbora schools, stock at least 10You've planned for 1 chili rasbora. Chili Rasbora need a group of at least 10 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Demanding species presentGerman Blue Ram are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishChili RasboraBoraras brigittae |  FishGerman Blue RamMikrogeophagus ramirezi |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Southwestern Borneo blackwater swamps | Orinoco basin, Venezuela & Colombia |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Cichlidae |
| Temperature | 24–28 °C | 26–29 °C |
| pH | 4.0–6.5 | 5.0–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–4 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Still to Low | Low |
| Min tank | 30 L | 75 L (pair) |
| Adult size | 1.7–2 cm | 5–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–4 yrs | 2–3 yrs |
| Diet | Micropredator | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid to Top | Mid to Bottom |
| Schooling | Yes | Pair |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (adults and adult shrimp) | Risky with dwarf shrimp |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Chili Rasbora and German Blue Ram together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 26 to 28 °C and pH 5 to 6.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Chili Rasbora or the German Blue Ram?
The Chili Rasbora is the easier of the two, closer to middle-of-the-road, while the German Blue Ram leans demanding.
Do Chili Rasbora and German Blue Ram need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 26 to 28 °C and pH 5 to 6.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Chili Rasbora and the German Blue Ram?
Temperament is the big one. The Chili Rasbora is peaceful and the German Blue Ram is territorial when breeding, which changes who you can house them with.