Pygmy Spotted Rasbora
Pygmy Spotted Rasbora
Pygmy Spotted Rasbora (Boraras maculatus) is one of the most widely available and beginner-accessible Boraras species — the pale cream to yellowish body carries a series of vivid dark spots along the flanks, including a prominent spot at the caudal peduncle. Maculatus means 'spotted' in Latin. Slightly more adaptable to aquarium conditions than some of its Boraras relatives.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets (crushed or soaked briefly) and Sera Vipan Baby make excellent daily staples — the small particle size suits this fish's tiny mouth. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen Daphnia. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily. These tiny rasboras have very small mouths — appropriately sized food is essential.
Boraras species are members of the family Danionidae, native to the peat swamp forests and blackwater streams of Southeast Asia — some of the most acidic and tannin-rich freshwater habitats on Earth. pH values of 3.0–4.5 are not unusual in their wild habitats. In the aquarium, tannin additions from Indian almond leaves or driftwood, dark substrate, and subdued lighting produce the richest coloration and most natural behavior. The name Boraras is an anagram of Rasbora — coined when this group was separated into its own genus.
Keep in groups of at least 10. One of the hardier Boraras species — more tolerant of moderately soft water without extreme acidification than the Chili or Phoenix Rasbora, making it more accessible to aquarists without RO water setups.
Egg-scatterers that spawn readily among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs are tiny — fry require infusoria or commercially prepared micro-fry foods for the first few days before graduating to newly hatched baby brine shrimp. The Pygmy Spotted Rasbora is an excellent entry point into the Boraras genus — sharing the nano scale and blackwater character of its relatives with slightly more forgiving water chemistry requirements.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful — nano blackwater community |
| Typical Adult Size | 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 10 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 73–82°F (23–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 4.0–7.0 |
| Ideal GH | 0–12 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 0–6 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets (crushed/soaked); Sera Vipan Baby |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia |
| Origin | Southeast Asia — Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo |
| Notes | Maculatus = 'spotted'. Most beginner-accessible Boraras. More tolerant of moderately soft water than other species. Prominent caudal spot. Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo. |
