Kubotai rasboras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

The kubotai rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) is a miniature cyprinid from peninsular Thailand and the Salween drainage of southern Myanmar. Seriously Fish says it is sold as the green neon rasbora or yellow neon rasbora, and that it was formerly placed in Microrasbora. The Shrimp Farm calls it one of the only truly green aquarium fish; a school looks best over dark substrate among dense plants.

Kubotai rasbora at a glance

Will kubotai rasboras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: no. A fish under an inch long can't harm a grown cherry or crystal shrimp, and The Shrimp Farm calls the species 100% peaceful.
• Shrimplets: rarely. The Shrimp Farm lists kubotai rasboras among the safest shrimp tankmates and says baby shrimp have little to fear. Seriously Fish notes that in the wild they eat small invertebrates and zooplankton, so a just-hatched shrimp in open water could be taken. In a tank with moss and dense plants, a colony should keep growing (our reading).
• Eggs and berried females: safe. Shrimp carry their eggs under the tail, out of reach of a fish this small.

For other tiny schooling fish, see chili rasboras with shrimp and Boraras rasboras with shrimp, or the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–81 °F, pH 6.0–7.0 and 1–10 dGH, and The Shrimp Farm gives 72–82 °F and pH 6.0–7.5. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.0 and GH 4–8 fits both. Very hard, alkaline tap water above pH 7.5 is outside the fish's range.
• With crystal and other Caridina: soft water at pH 6.0–6.5 sits inside the fish's listed range, so kubotai rasboras can also suit a soft-water Caridina tank. See crystal red shrimp care and Caridina vs Neocaridina.

More important than the exact numbers is stability. Seriously Fish says the species needs stable, well-oxygenated water and treats weekly water changes of 30–50% as mandatory. In a shrimp tank, match the new water's temperature and hardness closely, or do smaller, more frequent changes (our suggestion). See shrimp tank water changes, shrimp water parameters and GH and KH explained.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish asks for a base of at least 24 × 12 in, which is about 15 gallons, matching The Shrimp Farm's ideal. They are active swimmers, so length matters more than height.
• Mature tank only: Seriously Fish says not to add them to a new or uncycled tank. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Plants and dark substrate: The Shrimp Farm recommends a densely planted tank with dark substrate. Plants, moss and wood also grow biofilm for the shrimp (our note). See best plants for a shrimp tank and java moss for shrimp.
• Gentle flow, good oxygen: they come from calm to moderately flowing, well-oxygenated streams (Seriously Fish). A sponge filter with an air stone suits both. See shrimp-safe filters.

Keep a real school

Seriously Fish says kubotai rasboras live in groups of 20–50 in the wild and recommends at least 8–10 in the aquarium. In bigger groups they are less nervous and males show their best colors while competing for females. The Shrimp Farm suggests at least 10. Males are slimmer and more intensely colored; mature females are deeper-bodied and larger (Seriously Fish).

Other good tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests other small Thai fishes such as Boraras micros, B. naevus, harlequin and Espe's rasboras, and Pangio loaches. The Shrimp Farm adds kuhli loaches, panda corydoras, otocinclus, phoenix and chili rasboras, Amano shrimp and snails. See harlequin rasboras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and kuhli loaches with shrimp. Avoid big or boisterous fish, which stress this timid species (The Shrimp Farm).

Feeding both

Seriously Fish says they accept small dried foods but should mostly get small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia. The Shrimp Farm suggests micro pellets plus frozen Daphnia and brine shrimp, with live food best. Crumbs that drift down feed the shrimp; add sinking shrimp food in a separate corner so the fish don't crowd it (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

Breeding: fish and shrimp in the same tank

Kubotai rasboras scatter eggs among plants and give no parental care (Seriously Fish, The Shrimp Farm). In a mature planted tank a few fry may appear on their own, though adults and tankmates eat most eggs (The Shrimp Farm). Shrimp will likely graze some fish eggs. To raise more fish, both sources move a conditioned pair or group into a small tank packed with moss or spawning mops and remove the adults after spawning. Eggs hatch in about 3 days and the fry swim freely 3–4 days later (Seriously Fish, The Shrimp Farm).

How to add kubotai rasboras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests building up the shrimp colony before adding fish, so the shrimp know the hiding places.
• Acclimate slowly. Drip-acclimate if the store's water differs much from yours. See how to drip acclimate.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Keeping only a handful, which makes them hide and fade.
• Adding them to a newly set up tank.
• A bare tank with light gravel, where they look washed out.
• Large, untempered water changes that swing the shrimp's water.
• Feeding only dry flakes.

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

Will kubotai rasboras eat shrimp?

Not adult shrimp. They grow to only about 0.8 inches, and The Shrimp Farm rates them particularly safe, saying even baby shrimp have little to fear. An occasional newborn shrimplet may still be eaten, so keep some moss.

Can kubotai rasboras live with cherry shrimp?

Yes. Aim for about 72 to 78 °F, pH 6.5 to 7.0 and GH 4 to 8, in a mature, planted tank.

How many kubotai rasboras should I keep?

At least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish), or 10 or more (The Shrimp Farm). Bigger groups are bolder and more colorful.

What size tank do kubotai rasboras need?

Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 24 by 12 inches, about 15 gallons. The Shrimp Farm says a 10-gallon long can work, but 15 gallons is better.

Is a kubotai rasbora the same as a green neon rasbora?

Yes. Seriously Fish lists green neon rasbora and yellow neon rasbora as trade names for Microdevario kubotai.

Can kubotai rasboras live with crystal shrimp?

Their listed range of pH 6.0 to 7.0 and 1 to 10 dGH overlaps the soft water Caridina need, so they can work in a stable soft-water tank.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Microdevario kubotai (peninsular Thailand and Salween drainage; sold as green or yellow neon rasbora; formerly Microrasbora; Kottelat and Witte, 1999; 20 mm SL; 60 × 30 cm base; 68–81 °F, pH 6.0–7.0, 1–10 dGH; calm to moderately flowing, well-oxygenated streams; never add to an immature tank; weekly 30–50% water changes; small invertebrates and zooplankton in nature; mostly small live and frozen foods; very peaceful; Thai companions; groups of 20–50 in the wild, at least 8–10; sexing; egg scatterer, hatch about 72 hours, free-swimming 3–4 days later); The Shrimp Farm, Kubotai rasbora care (under an inch, max about 0.75 in; 10-gallon long workable, 15 gallons ideal; densely planted, dark tank; only fully cycled tanks; pH 6–7.5, 72–82 °F, TDS 50–150; 100% peaceful, can be kept with dwarf shrimp; school of at least 10; tankmate list; micro pellets, frozen Daphnia and brine shrimp; breeding in a separate tank with moss, eggs hatch in about 3 days); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (kubotai rasbora up to 0.8 in, 10+ gallons, easy, particularly safe due to its size, even baby shrimp have little to fear); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (build the shrimp colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates). The shared water zones are our own comparison.