Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras Merah)

The Phoenix Rasbora, Boraras Merah is a stunning nano fish recognised for its calm disposition, schooling behaviour, and small size. Rasboras are excellent standouts in planted aquariums because they can be the focal point of any peaceful nano community aquarium.

It is best to keep Phoenix Rasboras in a species-only aquarium or with other timid micro rasboras such as other Boraras, smaller Danios, smaller Tetras, pygmy Corydoras and small Loricariids like Otocinclus.

Schooling fish like Phoenix Rasboras should be kept in groups of at least eight individuals, preferably more. Maintaining sufficient numbers of Rasboras is essential to make the fish less apprehensive and create a more natural-looking display. In addition, as males compete for female attention, they display their best colours and exciting behaviours.

To help diffuse the light entering a Phoenix Rasbora aquarium, it's best to keep it densely planted with some floating plants. In addition to adding a more natural feel, the fish seem to appreciate this. It isn't necessary to have powerful filtration for these fish since they usually come from slow-moving waters. The best substrate is probably a soft, sandy one or a fine gravel one.

Adding dried leaf litter will further enhance the natural appearance and encourage microbe colonies to grow as the leaf litter decomposes. In addition, Blackwater fish species benefit from tannins and other chemicals released by decaying leaves, which provide secondary food sources for their fry.

Each Phoenix Rasbora has a bright orangey-red border around its black spots. In addition, a bright orangey-red colouration extends to the head.

Vibrant colour is only present around the fish's black spots, and the rest of the body is dull grey that fades into a transparent colour as it approaches the fins.

In contrast to other Rasboras, the black spot in the body's centre is much darker, and the fins have some red markings at the ends. This is because a Phoenix Rasbora lacks the continuous black band that runs along the body of other Rasboras; instead, it is broken up.

Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras Merah) Video

Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras Merah) Rare Aquarium Rasbora Fish Species Profile & Care Guide

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Feeding

In the home aquarium, the Phoenix Rasbora will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Tank Mates

4 interesting tank mate ideas for the Phoenix Rasbora could include: