Species › Danios, rasboras and minnows

Chili rasbora tank mates and minimum tank size

Boraras brigittae

Chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm (1.4 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F) and pH 6.5–7.0.

Minimum tank

41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long

Adult size

3.5 cm (1.4 in)

Temperature

25–28 °C (77–82 °F)

pH

pH 6.5–7.0

Group

10 or more

Chili rasbora minimum tank size

Chili rasboras need at least 41 L (11 US gal), in a tank at least 45 cm (18 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 3.5 cm (1.4 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (14 cm (5.5 in)).

Chili rasbora tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against chili rasboras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (16)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Cherry shrimp
• Congo tetra
• Dwarf gourami
• Ember tetra
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Lemon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Pygmy corydoras
• Siamese algae eater

With care (22)

• AngelfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• BettaThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as chili rasboras, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• KribensisThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and kribensis. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Kuhli loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by chili rasboras and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Panda corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and panda corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• PlatyThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and platies. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Red tail sharkChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger red tail sharks (13 cm).
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.

Not compatible (14)

• Cardinal tetraChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so chili rasboras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• German blue ramChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GoldfishChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; chili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; chili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm. The only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and oscars. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger rosy barbs (14 cm).
• Rummy-nose tetraChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danioChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank