Chili rasboras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 25, 2026Research-based

The chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae), also sold as the mosquito rasbora, is a tiny red schooling fish that grows to about 2 cm (0.8 in). It is one of the fish most often suggested for a shrimp tank, and for good reason: Practical Fishkeeping calls it peaceful, small enough to share a nano tank with shrimp, and so small-mouthed that any losses will be among the youngest baby shrimp. Seriously Fish says it can be kept with Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp in a planted tank.

Chili rasbora at a glance

Seriously Fish notes that two similar species, B. merah and B. urophthalmoides, are often sold under the same name.

Will chili rasboras eat shrimp?

• Adults: no. Adult dwarf shrimp are far too big for a chili rasbora's mouth.
• Shrimplets: some. Practical Fishkeeping says any losses will be among the youngest baby shrimp, and more generally that small fish such as rasboras will almost certainly eat young shrimp.
• Behavior: Practical Fishkeeping notes that shrimp kept with fish may hide more and breed less, and that fish usually beat shrimp to food.

For most tanks the trade-off is mild: a planted tank with moss gives enough cover that a cherry shrimp colony keeps growing. For rare or expensive shrimp, or if you sell shrimp, Practical Fishkeeping's advice is that a shrimp-only tank is the safer choice. See cherry shrimp tank mates for other options.

Matching the water

This is the main thing to plan. Chili rasboras come from very soft, acidic water, while cherry shrimp and other Neocaridina are usually kept in neutral to slightly hard water. The ranges overlap, though:

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target. Practical Fishkeeping's author kept Boraras at 77 °F (25 °C) and pH 6.5 in soft water, and reported that another breeder kept and bred several species at pH 7.2–7.4 with a hardness of about 6 dH, so they are more flexible than their wild habitat suggests. Soft-water Caridina such as crystal red shrimp overlap even more closely with chili rasboras. Whatever you choose, keep it stable. See shrimp water parameters, shrimp tank pH and GH and KH explained.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 45 × 30 cm (18 × 12 in), about 11 gallons, because dominant males hold small territories. Practical Fishkeeping's author used tanks of roughly 41–46 × 25 × 25 cm. A standard 10-gallon is the practical minimum for a group plus shrimp. See how many shrimp per gallon.
• Mature tank only: Seriously Fish warns against adding Boraras to a biologically immature tank. Cycle first, and ideally let the shrimp settle for a while. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Plants and cover: Seriously Fish recommends a densely planted tank with floating plants and driftwood, and lists Java fern, Java moss and Cryptocoryne among plants that handle dim light. That same cover protects shrimplets. See Java moss for shrimp and best plants for shrimp tanks.
• Gentle flow: Seriously Fish says filtration needn't be strong, since the fish come from sluggish water. A sponge filter suits both; Practical Fishkeeping's author used one. See shrimp-safe filters.
• Dim light and leaf litter: Seriously Fish suggests fairly dim light and dried leaves, which also suit shrimp grazing. See driftwood and botanicals.

Feeding both

Chili rasboras are micropredators. Seriously Fish and Practical Fishkeeping both recommend small live and frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp and Daphnia, along with good-quality crushed flakes or micro pellets. Feed the fish at the surface and drop shrimp food in a dish at the same time so the shrimp get their share; Practical Fishkeeping notes fish are usually quicker to food. Don't overfeed for the fish's sake, since leftovers foul shrimp water. See best shrimp food.

How to add chili rasboras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests giving the shrimp colony time to build up before adding fish.
• Quarantine the fish. Practical Fishkeeping warns that many fish medications are not invertebrate-safe, so treat new fish in a separate tank. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.
• Add a full group at once, slowly acclimated, so they school and settle instead of hiding.
• Keep water changes shrimp-sized. Practical Fishkeeping points out that big, frequent fish-style water changes can upset shrimp. Small, matched changes suit both. See shrimp tank water changes.
• Watch for losses. A dead fish hidden in plants can cause an ammonia spike (Practical Fishkeeping). Count your fish now and then. See ammonia and nitrite in a shrimp tank.

Breeding: fish and shrimp in the same tank

Chili rasboras scatter a few eggs daily and give no parental care, and Seriously Fish says a few fry may turn up on their own in a mature, well-planted tank. The adults will eat eggs, though Seriously Fish says they don't hunt for them actively. Your shrimp will keep breeding too, just with fewer survivors than in a shrimp-only tank. See baby shrimp care for ways to help shrimplets.

Common mistakes

• Adding the fish to a new tank before it is cycled and mature.
• Keeping only two or three, which leaves them nervous and hiding.
• Bare tanks with no moss, where shrimplets have nowhere to go.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.
• Expecting full shrimp breeding numbers with any fish present.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Can chili rasboras live with cherry shrimp?

Yes. They are one of the most recommended fish for shrimp tanks because they are peaceful and have tiny mouths. Adult shrimp are safe, but some newborn shrimplets will be eaten.

Will chili rasboras eat baby shrimp?

Some. Practical Fishkeeping says any losses will be among the youngest shrimplets. Dense moss and plants let enough babies survive for a cherry shrimp colony to keep growing.

How many chili rasboras should I keep with shrimp?

A group of at least 8 to 10, per Seriously Fish. A bigger group is calmer and shows better color.

What size tank do chili rasboras and shrimp need?

Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 18 × 12 in (45 × 30 cm), about 11 gallons. A 10-gallon is a practical minimum for a group plus a shrimp colony.

What water works for both?

Chili rasboras like soft, acidic to neutral water (pH 4.0 to 7.0); cherry shrimp are often kept at pH 6.2 to 8.0. Aim for the overlap, around pH 6.2 to 7.0 and GH 4 to 8, and keep it stable.

Are chili rasboras good with Caridina shrimp?

Their soft, acidic water preference overlaps well with crystal and bee shrimp. The shrimplet trade-off is the same, so many keepers of expensive Caridina still choose a shrimp-only tank.

Should I add chili rasboras or shrimp first?

Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish, and Seriously Fish says Boraras need a mature tank.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Boraras brigittae (mosquito rasbora) (Boraras brigittae, mosquito rasbora, also sold as chili or dwarf rasbora; southern Borneo blackwater peat swamp streams, very soft acidic water as low as pH 4.0; 20 mm SL; base at least 45 × 30 cm, about 41 L/11 US gal; 20–28 °C, pH 4.0–7.0, 1–10 dGH; densely planted, floating plants, driftwood, dim light, leaf litter; gentle filtration; not for biologically immature tanks; micropredator, small live and frozen foods plus quality dry foods; very peaceful, timid; can be housed with Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp in a planted tank; group of at least 8–10; continuous egg scatterer, no parental care, fry may appear in a mature tank; eats eggs but doesn't actively hunt them; B. urophthalmoides and B. merah sold under the name); Practical Fishkeeping, Boraras: marvels in miniature (best with small peaceful fish; groups of 6–10 in 41–46 × 25 × 25 cm tanks at 25 °C, pH 6.5, very soft; sponge filter; small live foods plus crushed flakes, micro pellets and frozen; males more intensely colored, females plumper; another breeder kept and bred Boraras at pH 7.2–7.4 and about 6 dH); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (chili rasbora peaceful, small enough for nano shrimp tanks, tiny mouth, losses only among the youngest shrimplets; rasboras will almost certainly eat young shrimp; shrimp may hide and breed less with fish; fish beat shrimp to food; let the colony build before adding fish; large fish-style water changes upset shrimp; medications often not invertebrate-safe; hidden dead fish cause ammonia spikes; shrimp-only best for breeding); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (Neocaridina range used for comparison: pH 6.2–8.0, 65–85 °F, GH 4–8).