Boraras brigittae

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Boraras brigittae
Boraras-brigittae-3191524164.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Danionidae
Genus: Boraras
Species:
B. brigittae
Binomial name
Boraras brigittae
(Vogt, 1978) [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Rasbora urophthalma brigittae Vogt, 1978
  • Rasbora brigittae Vogt, 1978

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.

Contents

Etymology

Dieter Vogt, the scientist who first described the species, named it in honor of his wife, Brigitte. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The chili rasbora naturally inhabits blackwater streams and pools of the Borneo peat swamp forests in Indonesia. [5]

B. brigittae Borasasb (cropped).jpg
B. brigittae

Anatomy and appearance

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]

A school of Boraras brigittae in a nano aquarium. Nano-Aquarium mit Boraras brigittae.JPG
A school of Boraras brigittae in a nano aquarium.

Diet

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]

In the aquarium

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]

References

  1. Lumbantobing, D. (2020). "Boraras brigittae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T90998174A90998238. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T90998174A90998238.en . Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Boraras". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  3. Kottelat, Maurice; Whitten, Anthony J.; Kartikasari, Sri Nurani; Wirjoatmodjo, Soetikno (1993). Freshwater fishes of Western Indonesia and Sulawesi. Hong Kong: Periplus Editions. p. 221. ISBN   9780945971603.
  4. Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Family DANIONIDAE: Bleeker 1863 (Danios)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Boraras Brigittae". Seriously Fish.
  6. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Boraras brigittae". FishBase . October 2024 version.
  7. 1 2 "Mosquito Rasbora (Boraras brigittae)". Tropical Fish Keeping.