Edit Boraras urophthalmoides

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Name

Scientific name

Boraras urophthalmoides

Described by

Authority Kottelat, Year 1991, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 11 credited

Summary

Boraras urophthalmoides is a miniature cyprinid from southern and central Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, including the moats of Angkor Wat…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

16mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 6–7

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Sai Buri

Writing

Etymology

Boraras: anagram of the generic name Rasbora, in reference to the reversed ratio of abdominal and caudal vertebrae in this genus. urophthalmoides: from the spe…

Distribution

Described from a freshwater swamp associated with the Sai Buri River in Pattani province, southern (peninsular) Thailand but currently considered to range thro…

Habitat

Inhabits shallow bodies of water such as swamps, marshes, floodplains and rice paddies where it's typically associated with submerged vegetation in predominant…

Aquarium size

Though small it still needs space to swim and dominant males will form temporary territories when spawning so a group is best kept in a tank with base dimensio…

Maintenance

Best kept in a densely-planted aquarium and is an excellent choice for the carefully-aquascaped set-up. The addition of some floating plants and driftwood root…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Stomach analyses of wild specimens have revealed it to be a micropredator feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans and other zooplankton. In the aquarium i…

Behaviour and compatibility

This species is very peaceful but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and rather timid nature. It will do best when maintained alone or…

This species is very peaceful but does not make an ideal community fish due to its small size and rather timid nature. It will do best when maintained alone or with other diminutive species such as Microdevario, Sundadanio, Danionella, Eirmotus, Trigonostigma, pygmy Corydoras and small Loricariids such as Otocinclus.

It also makes an ideal companion for shy anabantoids such as Sphaerichthys, Parosphromenus or the more diminutive Betta species and in a planted set-up can be housed alongside freshwater shrimp of the genera Caridina and Neocaridina. We don't recommend keeping it with other Boraras as hybridisation might occur.

It's a shoaling species by nature and really should be kept in a group of at least 8-10 specimens. Maintaining it in decent numbers will not only make the fish less nervous but will result in a more effective, natural-looking display. Males will also display their best colours and some interesting behaviour as they compete with one other for female attention.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are noticeably rounder-bellied and often a little larger than the slightly more colourful males.

Reproduction

Like many small cyprinids this species is an egg-scattering, continuous spawner that exhibits zero parental care. That is to say when in good condition and in …

Notes

This species appears to vary in colouration depending on collection locality which has led to some confusion with B. brigittae as some populations can develop …

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References