added new Mosquito Rasboras

combray

Today I was in my LFS and they had some fish labeled: "Red Fin Dwarf Rasboras." I am pretty certain they are Mosquito Rasboras. I purchased 7 and added them to my 10 gallon plant with 5 Corydoras habrosus (salt and peppers).

The Rasboras are so tiny still. I hope to get pictures posted soon, as I am not 100% certain as to which dwarf Rasboras they are.

Romad

Congrats. on your new additions. Looking forward to pics.

Byron

Boraras brigittae, the Mosquito Rasbora, is included in our profiles (click the shaded name to see the profile) so have a look at the photos. There is another species, Boraras merah, that is very similar in colouration [this is not yet in our profiles]. The other "dwarf" rasbora are quite different from these two.

You will also find info on what this fish needs. Plants, esp floating plants, are essential if you have a Boraras, as they spend much of their time among floating plants and without them will be stressed.

Byron.

combray

Thank you for the replies. After closer examination I believe I have Boraras brigittae. Tomorrow I may have my children confirm this for me with their younger eyes (the fish are quite small still). About a third of the surface is covered with a floating plant that is doing poorly however. I do not think it is a true floating plant, so I will add in some duckweed to keep the fish comfortable.

Again thank you for the replies and I hope to upload pictures soon.

Byron

Although it says they attain 1 inche in the profile, they are very slow growing. The oldest in my group (I've had about a year) are only 1/2 inch.

Duckweed won't fill the bill, these fish need dangling roots/leaves; or plants growing from the substrate that reach the surface with finely pinnate leaf structures (like Wisteria). Ceratopteris cornuta is ideal [also in our profiles, click the shaded name]. Some stem plants will work: Brazilian Pennywort, Wisteria, Cabomba--just let it float rather than planting it in the substrate.

Byron.

combray

Thank you Byron.

I believe the "floating" plant I currently have is Cabomba, so that will be a good start. I will see what else I can come up with locally to fill out the surface a little more. Yes, these guys are so tiny that I want to do whatever I can to help them along.

Byron

Yes, they are delicate. Mine are eating well, but i still lose a few, no idea where. Good luck.

combray

I have the 7 Boraras brigittae with 5 Corydoras habrosus in an established and planted 10 gallon. Do you think there is room to add more Boraras brigittae? My LFS has a few left and I am tempted to add more, but I don't want to become overstocked. I do not have plans to add any other species to this tank.

Aqadvisor puts my current stocking level at 91%.

Byron

Yes, add them; the more the better with these small fish as it gives them more "comfort."

I had 11 Boraras brigittae and 7 Corydoras pygmaeus in my 10g, and there was room for more. As long as it is well planted. I moved the Boraras (for other reasons) and now have 7 C. habrosus and 14 C. pygmaeus plus 4 Poecillocharax weitzmani and a shrimp or two in the 10g. Live plants, plus combining truly "compatible" fish, makes a big difference.

Byron.

combray

Excellent. Today, I'll go see if my LFS still has any left. I assumed the Boraras brigittae's bio-load would be quite minimal, but I wanted to just make sure I had room. I'll see what floating plants they have too.

Thanks once again. The advice I've received on this forum has been invaluable.