Boraras merah
A tiny blackwater Boraras with bright red-orange flanks broken by sharp black blotches — like a phoenix marking. Tighter shoals than chili rasboras when comfortable. Nano blackwater biotopes only, never mix with anything over 4 cm.
Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras merah) reaches 1.5–2 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 30 L. Native to Borneo, peat swamps, it lives in the mid water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 23–28 °C, pH 4.5–6.5, and 0–6 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 3–4 years with good care. Keep phoenix rasbora in groups of 10+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Crushed micro pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Yes.
Care at a glance
A tiny blackwater Boraras with bright red-orange flanks broken by sharp black blotches — like a phoenix marking. Tighter shoals than chili rasboras when comfortable. Nano blackwater biotopes only, never mix with anything over 4 cm.
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The parameters that decide whether phoenix rasbora fits in your tank.
Mid
Yes
Group of 10+
Cyprinidae
Omnivore
Crushed micro pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake.
3–4 yrs
Hard
Borneo, peat swamps
Borneo, peat swamps
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Weighing it against something similar? Compare Phoenix Rasbora head to head:
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Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras merah) needs a minimum tank of 30 L. They live in the mid water column and should be kept in groups of 10+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 23–28 °C, pH 4.5–6.5, and 0–6 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Yes. Plant safety: Yes.
Phoenix Rasbora are omnivore. Crushed micro pellet, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, finely crushed flake.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 3/5. Intermediate, stable parameters and a mature tank matter. Breeding difficulty: hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 3–4 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
