You may be aware of several types of Rasboras in the aquarium hobby. Question is, who would be best suited to your home aquarium?
This guide will help you make the right decision by covering the 15 most popular types of Rasboras that would be perfect for your fishkeeping hobby.
While all the fish on our list have defining characteristics, we hope you will find a standout option that tickles all boxes.
1. Chili Rasbora
Chili Rasbora is a small, peaceful, schooling fish originating from Southwest Borneo in Indonesia. It is sometimes called Boraras brigittae and can add a unique feel to your aquarium.
Like most small fish, Chili Rasboras are safer in groups, constantly exploring the tank in unison as they display their beautiful red and black coloring.
When first introduced to a new environment, proper acclimatization is key to Chili Rasbora’s health and well-being.
They can be shy during the first few days of captivity life, which is why you need a suitable tank set up with plenty of decorations, hiding spots, and live plants.
As for the general appearance, Chili Rasboras have an interesting, colorful look, comprising attractive pink and red shades, with two dark black and bright red stripes running vertically along with their bodies.
Size: 0.7 inches
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 5-10 gallons
2. Galaxy Rasbora
Galaxy Rasbora is a quintessential species of the Botia family, popular for its fascinating appearance that genuinely lives up to the hype.
Typically, Galaxy Rasboras wear an eye-catching deep blue base coloration, with multiple pearl-like dots all over their bodies.
They are sometimes called the Celestial Pearl Danios, and the first thing you will see in these beautiful species is their shimmery bodies. Where aesthetic appeal matters, you won’t have a better option than this tiny, peace-loving Asian critter with bright red fins.
Galaxy Rasboras are fond of warm, shallow ponds and water bodies in the wild environment and crave similar conditions when introduced to a confined setup.
For that reason, it’s essential to include good tank decorations with the water pH maintained on a slightly neutral side and water temperatures ranging from 72°F-79°F.
Size: 1 inch
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
3. Clown Rasbora
Clown Rasbora is another interesting Rasbora species perfect for peaceful communities. Like most species on our list, the Clown variety is safer and more comfortable in schools and will benefit most when their needs are fully met in captivity.
Because they originate from the murky blackwaters in Asia, Clown Rasboras tend to have a specific liking for acidic conditions with decaying plant matter. They can tolerate acidity levels of up to 4.0, never seen in most freshwater aquarium fish.
Besides, Clown Rasboras are fond of low lighting conditions with plenty of hiding spots in the form of floating plants and driftwood.
As for the characteristic appearance, Clown Rasboras can be identified by the pinkish-orange base coloration with multiple black dots all over their bodies.
Size: 4 inches
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons’
4. Harlequin Rasbora
Harlequin Rasbora is a popular name in the aquarium hobby, partly because of its alluring appearance and its ease of care.
Whenever you want to create an outstanding aquarium without the hassle of a large freshwater fish, this tiny, diamond-shaped Rasbora will be your best option. They sport a beautiful pinkish-orange coloring with an attractive dark patch to create a visually striking look.
Like most Rasboras, the Harlequin varieties are ideal for peaceful communities, ready to mingle with most small fish you may want to keep in the same aquarium.
You can keep up to 8 species in a species-only aquarium or match them with suitable tank mates like the Bettas, Dwarf Gourami, Cardinal Tetras, and Neon Tetras.
Size: 1.75 – 2 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
5. Blackline Rasbora
Blackline Rasbora is a lesser-known Rasbora fish endemic to Southeast Asia. It comes as a complete package, with a natural resilience unmatchable by most Rasbora fish species.
They dwell in slow-moving ponds in Asia and quickly adapt to captivity life without posing significant challenges. Still, that doesn’t eliminate the need to create a suitable environment for these petite Rasboras.
A typical Blackline Rasbora will want ideal water parameters with slightly neutral pH and warmer waters, staying between 72°F-79°F.
Usually, Blackline Rasbora has a wholly gray and transparent body.
And to add to their matchless beauty, they have a thin, dark-colored stripe running vertically along with their bodies. It is this stripe that gives them the famous blackline name.
Size: 2.5 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
6. Scissortail Rasbora
Scissortail Rasbora is another unique Rasbora fish made for active community tanks. They are agile scissor-tailed fish that are somehow obsessed with swimming.
Well, most Rasbora fish are great swimmers, but the Scissortail varieties seem to take it to a whole new level.
What matters most to them is an ample swimming space to let them dash around effortlessly from one corner of the tank to another as they display their unique color patterns.
The best part? Scissortail Rasboras are comfortable with a standard tank setup, starting with plenty of live plants, driftwood, and plastic decorations.
What’s more, the fish’s name originates from the deeply forked tails. And with the perfectly streamlined bodies exclusively covered in glittery silvery coloring, be ready for endless entertainment inside the tank.
Size: 3.5 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
7. Lambchop Rasbora
Ever heard of the Lambchop Rasbora before? We bet you haven’t.
It is another peaceful community Rasbora fish endemic to Southeast Asia. They are peculiar-looking, 1.5-inch long fish that are safer in groups.
When you keep the right number of them inside the tank, they will provide endless entertainment with their playful nature, occasionally darting around the tank, creating an exciting pattern in the process.
The unique name mirrors their general appearance, with typical Lambchop Rasboras displaying an orange, bright red, or yellow coloring.
However, the truly defining feature in these species is the wedge-shaped mark, extending from the dorsal fin to the tailfin. This mark is black-colored and is often likened to a lamb chop, hence the name.
Size: 1.5 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
8. Dwarf Rasbora
Dwarf Rasbora, sometimes called the Spotted Rasbora, is another peaceful Rasbora type well suited to small, nano tanks.
They flourish in well-planted aquariums, relying on ample swimming space to have their best lives.
Like most Rasboras, the Dwarf varieties are a shoaling community fish, creating a more colorful display if you include the right number inside the aquarium.
However, it should be mentioned that the Dwarf Rasboras are a timid species, especially when kept with the wrong tank mates.
For that reason, you should only let them mingle with equally shy and friendly community fish like the Danios, small Loaches, and Pygmy Corydoras.
Size: 1 inch
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 5-10 gallons
9. Phoenix Rasbora
Phoenix Rasboras are exciting Rasbora fish with vivid orange-red coloring all over their bodies. They are genuinely beautiful freshwater fish with a peaceful disposition.
Their schooling behavior is best displayed when kept in groups, and they can be an important focal point inside the tank.
As a small fish measuring slightly over 0.5 inches in full growth, Phoenix Rasboras appreciate plenty of cover in the form of driftwood, caves, and plants.
Their iconic appearance is built around ruby red coloring, but you will spot more intricate details with an up-close look. They have additional black spots on their bodies with red, yellow, and orange shades.
You have absolutely nothing to worry about the Phoenix’s temperament, given most species demonstrate a calm demeanor that’s ideal for community tanks.
They are imposing when kept with other friendly species, like the Tetras, Dwarf Shrimps, and the Celestial Pearl Danios.
Size: 0.8 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
10. Brilliant Rasbora
The next Rasbora fish on our list is one of its kind. Brilliant Rasbora is a ray-finned fish inhabiting the blackwater Rivers and natural streams in the densely forested Borneo region, existing as one of the best peaceful fish for small aquariums.
They can live in highly acidic conditions, going as low as 3.0 on the pH scale, with water temperatures of 72°F-79°F.
When introduced to captivity life, the Brilliant Rasboras will be ready to adapt from the get-go, being an important part of the community tank either as an ornamental fish or a favorite pet.
While everybody marvels at their beautiful bodies, the Brilliant Rasboras have even more appealing dietary needs, constantly snacking on small crustaceans, larvae, and insects as a customary meal.
That aside, most species have a brilliant silver coloring, confirming the origin of the unique names. And to complement their already mesmerizing look, the Brilliant Rasboras will also have a dark-colored stripe running the length of their bodies.
Size: 3.5 inches
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
11. Blue Axelrodi Rasbora
Blue Axelrodi Rasbora is one of the rarest types of small Rasbora species you will ever find in the aquarium hobby. Like its popular cousins, they are small-sized fish that make an excellent choice for small nano tanks.
Blue Axelrodi Rasboras have beautiful blue-green bodies, with the male species wearing an additional cover of reddish shades towards the lower regions.
Like most Rasboras, they are endemic to Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia, with a natural schooling behavior that extends to captivity life.
Ideally, these small-sized Rasboras are more alluring when introduced to the aquarium in groups, living in colonies comprising as many as 20 specimens at a time.
You can consider a few additional tank mates like Chili Rasboras, Dwarf Emerald Rasboras, and the Exclamation Rasboras.
Size: 1 inch
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
12. Strawberry Rasbora
As you may probably guess, Strawberry Rasbora is an eye-catching Rasbora fish that stands out with its stunning body.
They are one of the smallest Rasbora fish, existing as a small, peaceful fish that’s happy to live in suitable communities.
Their diminutive body sizes mean they will only be secure in groups, as a typical fish can only grow up to 0.7 inches. Most importantly, Strawberry Rasboras are easy to care for, readily introducing a captivating look to the aquarium when kept with suitable tank mates.
And when it comes to the general appearance, it simply doesn’t get better than this. These fish species are commonly likened to the Chili Rasboras, thanks to their stunning appearance with their plain-looking bodies.
But unlike the Chili Rasboras, Strawberry Rasboras have a large dark-colored dot right in the middle of their bodies, complemented by two smaller dots. You will spot other dots towards the caudal fin, with the male fish exhibiting more vibrant coloring.
Size: 0.7 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
13. Green Kubotai Rasbora
Green Kubotai Rasbora is scientifically called Microdevario kubotai, an attractive species of the Cyprinidae family inhabiting the natural streams and rivers of Southeast Asia.
They are ideal for aquarium enthusiasts looking to introduce an interesting hue to their tanks. With sparkling neon-green bodies, there’s no reason these showstopping Rasboras shouldn’t be part of your community tank.
And that’s before mentioning the peaceful temperament that allows them to live with equally friendly fish and smaller invertebrates in the same tank.
What’s more, their vivid green coloring blends perfectly with any tank and, when combined with other brilliantly colored fish and invertebrates, might introduce the rare sparkle you’ve been looking for in the aquatic world.
It is their miniature body sizes that make them ideal for nano tanks. And as long as you maintain stable water parameters throughout the fish’s lives, everything else will fall quickly into place.
Size: 0.8 inches
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
14. Emerald Eye Rasbora
Emerald Eye Rasbora is a hardy species and an important inhabitant of peaceful community tanks.
They have simple care requirements in captivity, meaning they can live peacefully with other gentle species like the Dwarf Cichlids, small Loaches, and Catfishes.
They are an ideal shoaling fish, typically existing in small groups in their natural habitat to create a beautiful swimming pattern at any given time.
Similarly, larger groups make these fish more secure at home, with males always doing everything to capture the females’ attention.
While a lot goes into the general tank setup, Emerald Eye Rasboras are particularly happy with a natural-style aquarium with enough driftwood and a soft sandy substrate.
They take on the typical Rasbora appearance with elongated bodies and a metallic silvery base coloration that can appear yellowish under specific conditions.
Size: 1.6 inches
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 8 gallons
15. Exclamation Point Rasbora
Exclamation Mark Rasbora will capture your attention with its unique name and its general appearance.
They are peaceful, schooling fish by nature, wearing a beautiful golden yellow coloring with an eye-catching lateral stripe on both sides of their bodies. Such stripes can be brown or dark green, depending on the specific species.
On top of that, these fish develop a darker blotch towards the caudal peduncle, perfectly completing their good-looking appearance.
They occupy the middle and upper parts of the tank, readily mingling with other peaceful freshwater aquarium fish like the Pygmy Corydoras, Trigonostigma, and other Rasbora varieties.
Their miniature sizes make them ideal for planted aquariums or nano tanks, readily existing as part of a peaceful community. Keep at least 8-10 species at a time to enjoy the beauty of their sparkling bodies.
Size: 1 inch
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons
Final Thoughts
A typical Rasbora fish is a pleasure to keep, easy to maintain, and perfect for small tanks. Also, they have the added advantage of being absolutely stunning, even more so when introduced to the right environment.
Now that you know some of the most popular Rasbora types, we hope you’ve already identified a unique favorite from our list. If you still can’t decide which species to introduce to your home aquarium, we will be happy to help.
