Boraras brigittae | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Family: | Danionidae |
Genus: | Boraras |
Species: | B. brigittae |
Binomial name | |
Boraras brigittae | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Boraras brigittae, also known as the chili rasbora or mosquito rasbora, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Boraras . It is notable for its very small size and is endemic to the swamps of South West Borneo, Indonesia. [3] It is a popular aquarium fish due to its small size and colorful appearance.
Dieter Vogt, the scientist who first described the species, named it in honor of his wife, Brigitte. [4]
The chili rasbora naturally inhabits blackwater streams and pools of the Borneo peat swamp forests in Indonesia. [5]
Members of this species can range in base body color from a light rusty orange-red to a vibrant red, with a distinctive black stripe that runs along the lateral line. Females in this species have rounder bellies and lighter color than males. The males are smaller than females and more brightly colored with dominant adult males displaying the most vibrant coloration. Their sizes range between 10 and 20 mm (0.39–0.79 in), [5] although the largest known specimen had a recorded total length of 3.1 cm (1.2 in). [6]
Chili rasboras, like all members of the Boraras genus, are micro-predators with a diet primarily consisting of small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. [7]
These fishes prefer an aquarium setting that is similar to their natural habitat and can live up to 8 years if properly cared for. They may be fed pellets, frozen food, flakes, young brine shrimp and worms. [7]