Asian Rasbora Care Guide: Keeping Colorful Schooling Fish for Nano & Community Tanks
Asian rasboras are some of the most rewarding small schooling fish in the freshwater hobby — peaceful, colorful, and perfectly sized for planted nano and community tanks. The name covers a group of cyprinids from the streams, rivers, and blackwater swamps of Southeast Asia, including true Rasbora, the tiny Boraras “micro rasboras,” and close relatives like Trigonostigma and Microdevario. Here at Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne, rasboras are a staff favorite for beginners and aquascapers alike.
We usually keep a rotating selection of Asian rasboras in stock. Recent favorites include the fiery Chili Rasbora, the jewel-like Phoenix Rasbora, the classic Harlequin Rasbora, the colorful Axelrod Rasbora, the electric Green Kubotai (Neon Green Rasbora), and the playful Scissortail Rasbora. Browse the full rasboras for sale collection — stock rotates often, so message us and we will tell you what is swimming right now.
Meet the Asian rasbora
“Rasbora” is a catch-all hobby term for a range of small Southeast Asian cyprinids. Most stay small — micro species like the Chili and Phoenix rasbora top out around ¾ inch, while larger species like the Scissortail reach 3–4 inches. They are shoaling fish that feel safe and show their best color in groups, and nearly all are gentle, active, and ideal for community aquariums. Their compact size and easygoing temperament make them a brilliant choice for nano fish setups and peaceful community tanks.
Tank Size and Setup
Micro rasboras (Chili, Phoenix) can thrive in a well-planted tank as small as 5–10 gallons, while mid-size and larger species (Harlequin, Green Kubotai, Scissortail) appreciate 20 gallons or more for swimming room. Because they are schooling fish, always keep a group — a minimum of 8–10, and the bigger the shoal, the better the behavior and color.
Rasboras come from shaded, plant-rich waters, so aim to recreate that. Use a dark substrate to bring out their color, add plenty of live plants, and consider floating plants to diffuse the light and make them feel secure. A snug-fitting lid is a must — many rasboras are accomplished jumpers.
Water Parameters and Temperature
Most Asian rasboras prefer soft to moderately soft, slightly acidic to neutral water, roughly pH 6.0–7.5, and a temperature of 73–80°F. Blackwater micro species like the Chili and Phoenix especially appreciate the lower, softer end of that range. They are sensitive to swings, so keep them in a fully cycled tank and keep up with regular water changes.
A small, reliable heater keeps temperatures stable, which matters in a Wyoming winter. As a rough sizing guide, plan on about 25 watts for tanks under 7 gallons, 50 watts for 7–16 gallons, 75 watts for 16–26 gallons, and 100 watts for 26–40 gallon tanks. Pair the heater with gentle filtration — rasboras dislike strong current — and use a quality fish food routine to keep water clean.
Feeding Your Asian rasbora
Rasboras are easy eaters but have small mouths, so size the food accordingly. A high-quality micro or nano pellet and finely crushed flake make a great staple. Supplement with small frozen and live foods — baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops — for the best color and conditioning, especially for the tiny Boraras species. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, only what they can clear in a couple of minutes. Browse our premium fish food for nano-appropriate options.
Tankmates and Temperament
Asian rasboras are model community citizens — peaceful, non-nippy, and happiest with their own kind. Keep them in a shoal of 8 or more and pair them with other calm, similarly sized fish. Excellent companions include small tetras, pygmy corydoras, otocinclus, peaceful gouramis, and dwarf shrimp. Because they occupy the upper and middle water column, they layer beautifully with bottom dwellers. For a peaceful invertebrate cleanup crew, our freshwater shrimp make perfect tankmates for the larger rasbora species (very tiny micro rasboras and newborn shrimp can coexist too, just expect a few shrimplets to become snacks).
Avoid large or aggressive fish that will see a 1-inch rasbora as a meal. For more ideas on building a calm nano community, see our peaceful nano community guide and our sparkling gourami care guide.
Is the Asian rasbora Right for You?
If you want a peaceful, colorful, low-drama schooling fish for a planted nano or community tank, rasboras are hard to beat. They are hardy enough for newer hobbyists who keep a cycled, stable tank, yet beautiful enough to anchor an aquascape. New to the hobby? Read our common beginner mistakes guide first, and if you are deciding between schooling fish, our cardinal vs. neon tetra comparison is a helpful read too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rasboras should I keep together? Keep at least 8–10 as an absolute minimum, and ideally more. They are schooling fish that feel secure and show their best color and natural behavior in larger groups.
Are Asian rasboras good for beginners? Yes — most are hardy, peaceful, and forgiving as long as you give them a fully cycled tank, stable parameters, and a proper-sized school. The tiny Boraras micro rasboras are a bit more delicate and do best in an established, well-planted tank.
Will rasboras nip fins or bother other fish? No. Rasboras are gentle, non-aggressive community fish and are not known to nip. They mix well with shrimp, snails, and other peaceful species of similar size.