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Setting up a tank for your Chilli Rasboras doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you know what type of environment they will do best in you can keep things easy-care.
The best tank setup for Chilli Rasboras is one with minimal flow that includes plants and leaf debris. In their native habitat Chilli Rasboras live in shady pools, peat bogs and streams where the water is stained by natural tannins. As well as ‘blackwater’ tanks your Chilli Rasboras will also thrive in well maintained freshwater aquariums.
You can, of course, keep them in a blackwater tank if you want to keep things as close to their native habitat as possible. But if you prefer to keep them successfully in clearer water it’s easy to do.
The rest of this article is about how to set up a freshwater tank that your Chilli Rasboras will love and, of course, one that you will enjoy keeping.
Tip: Even though the Chilli Rasbora is a Nano fish that can be kept in a tank as small as 5 Litres you need to decide how many you want to keep before buying a tank. If you buy the tank first the size of the tank will dictate how many Chilli Rasboras you can keep.
Choosing A Tank For Your Chilli Rasboras
Chilli Rasboras are a schooling fish which means that they should be kept in groups of at least 6-8. So the first thing you need to do is to decide on is how many Chilli Rasboras you want to keep. Once you’ve got your number you can set about choosing a tank for them.
Even though the Chilli Rasbora is a popular fish for Nano tanks it doesn’t mean that you can only keep them in a small tank. You can keep large schools of them in a larger species only tank or add them to an existing community tank to add some colour and interest.
Whatever size tank you choose to keep your Chilli Rasboras in you need to make sure there’s plenty of ‘swim room’. Because, although they can be a little shy until they have settled into their new home, they are generally a lively little fish.
So a general guide for choosing tank size for Chilli Rasboras is to buy the biggest one that your budget and available space will allow.
Tip: Chilli Rasboras will breed in a freshwater aquarium. So it’s important to take this into account when choosing a tank for them and make sure that you allow enough room for new arrivals.
So What Size Tank Do Chilli Rasboras Need?
The size of tank that you’ll need for your Chilli Rasboras will depend on a few things. When you’re choosing a tank there are some points that you need to consider.
- The number of Chilli Rasboras you plan to keep
- The size of the fish when they are fully grown
- Spare litres/gallons for Chilli Rasbora fry when they arrive
- Whether your Chilli Rasboras will share the tank with other fish/shrimp/snails
Because I don’t know exactly what your plans are I can’t give you a definitive answer to what size tank you will need. My advice though is to take all the points above into account before you make your choice of tank. And speaking to your local Pet Store or Aquatic Dealer for some guidance on a suitable tank for your planned inhabitants before you buy is a wise thing to do.
Note: Whether you keep your Chilli Rasboras in a species only tank, or in a community aquarium, it’s always better to understock, rather than overstock the tank. This is particularly important in a newly cycled tank to avoid overloading the setup and causing a dangerous ammonia spike. You can always add more fish etc once the tank is fully established.
Tip: Although Chilli Rasboras are not considered ‘jumpers’ it’s a good idea to have a lidded aquarium as they have been known to jump when startled. If you really don’t want a lid you can leave several inches at the top of the tank between the water and the top edge to reduce the chance of losing any of your fish.
What’s The Best Tank Layout For Chilli Rasboras?
The Chilli Rasbora is an easy-care fish that can adapt to different environments as long as the conditions are good. However, it’s still worth thinking about the best way to layout their tank. The closer you can keep things to their natural habitat the better it will be for your fish.
I appreciate that keeping any kind of fish in an aquarium isn’t going to be the same as their native home. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep things as natural as is possible for them. The more natural you make their new environment the less likely they are to become stressed or sick. Plus, Chilli Rasboras look great in a tank that mimics their native home.
A Good Tank Layout For Chilli Rasboras Generally Includes:
- Plants (preferably live ones but you can use artificial/fake ones if you prefer)
- Rocks/Pebbles (link will take you to Amazon)
- Leaf Debris – such as Catappa Leaves (Amazon Link) and/or Oak Leaves
- Substrate (e.g. fine gravel or sand)
Tip: Despite their deep colour the Chilli Rasboras colouring really pops in a heavily planted tank that has a dark substrate.
How you position the stuff in the tank is entirely up to you. But if you use a combination of the things on the list above you’ll end up creating something that resembles the bottom of a stream or pool.
You can also include Alder Cones and pieces of Wood/Twigs (Amazon Link) too. Just make sure that anything you add to the tank is pest and pesticide free before you add them.
Do Chilli Rasboras Need A Planted Tank?
Chilli Rasboras definitely benefit from having a planted tank. Live plants help to keep the water clean by using up excess nutrients in the water. Plants provide secluded areas for Chilli Rasboras to spawn in and also places for the newly hatched fry to hide in until they are big enough not to be eaten by the adults. And as an added bonus Chilli Rasboras look great in a planted tank.
I know that not every fish keeper wants to keep live plants in their aquarium. So the good news is that you can use artificial/fake plants in your Chilli Rasbora tank if you prefer to.
It’s worth bearing in mind though that if you do use artificial/fake plants you won’t get the filtering benefits that live plants provide. Nonetheless, you will still have an attractive tank that shows your Chilli Rasboras off at their best. And artificial/fake plants will still provide those important spaces that they need rest/spawn in.
Tip: If you prefer to use artificial/fake plants in your Chilli Rasbora tank it’s best to choose smoother, soft edged ones, because some artificial/fake plants can have sharp edges. Choosing softer ones will help to reduce the risk of damage to your fish as they swim around the tank.
Maybe you haven’t decided yet whether to go for live or artificial plants in your Chilli Rasbora tank? Or maybe you’re just not sure which live plants to go for?
I’ve got a few suggestions for live plants that should be helpful.
9 Easy-Care Aquarium Plants For A Chilli Rasbora Tank
- Red Root Floaters (floating fern plants with red roots)
- Water Lettuce (green leafy floating plant)
- Duckweed (fast growing green floating plant that needs to be kept in check)
- Java Moss (can be attached to wood/rocks/ tank decorations)
- Java Fern (can be attached or planted)
- Anubias Nana Petite (planted)
- Bacopa Family plants (eg Bacopa Caroliniana – stem plants that need planting in the substrate)
- Dwarf Sagittaria (carpeting plant)
- Dwarf Hairgrass (carpeting plant)
There are a lot of other easy-care aquarium plants that you can use in your Chilli Rasbora tank. But the list above should give you a good starting point.
Aquatic plants are generally available in Pet Stores, Aquatic Dealers and also Online. So it’s worth checking them out once you’ve decided on which live plants you want.
Even if you start off with artificial/fake plants there may come at time when you want to experiment with live ones. I’ve got both live and artificial/fake plants in one of my aquariums and it’s working well. While there’s nothing wrong with having only one type or the other, there’s also nothing wrong with having a combination of both live and fake plants in your aquarium.
Whatever works for you and your fish is what really counts.
Do Chilli Rasboras Need A Filter?
Although live plants help to filter aquarium water you will still need to have some kind of ‘mechanical’ filtration as part of your Chilli Rasbora tank setup. The reason for this is that, despite being a fairly resilient little fish, the Chilli Rasbora doesn’t do well with large shifts in water quality. Increases in Ammonia and Nitrite levels in particular are dangerous for these fish. So filtering their tank will help to keep the water parameters stable and healthy.
You also need to keep on top of water changes and tank maintenance to keep the water safe. But that goes for any other fish, shrimp or snails in the fishkeeping hobby anyway. It’s just something that we routinely do as a aquarium keepers.
Which Type Of Filter Is Best For A Chilli Rasbora Tank?
Because Chilli Rasboras are a Nano fish who’s native habitat is in slow moving pools, bogs and streams any tank filtration system needs to be gentle. One of the most gentle forms of tank filtration is as Sponge Filter run by an air pump. There are other types of filtration such as Internal Box Filters, Hang-On-The-Back (HOB) and Canister Filters for example. But no matter what type of filter you choose it does need to only create minimal flow.
I’ve put the Sponge Filter at the top of my list because not only does it create a gentle flow, while cleaning and oxygenating the water, it has other benefits too. Plus you can use an adjustable air pump (Amazon Link) on your Sponge Filter to adapt the flow to suit your fish.
The Sponge Filter is safer for Nano fish, fish fry and baby shrimp/snails. These tiny aquatic creatures are highly unlikely to be sucked up and killed by a sponge filter. Plus the sponge part of the filter is a great place for growing healthy bacteria. A Sponge Filter also captures food particles, algae and microorganisms, that the tiny tank inhabitants feed on.
Sponge Filters are also inexpensive and easy maintenance. Read my article ‘What Is An Aquarium Sponge Filter’ for more information and tips.
The only downside to using a Sponge Filter is that some fish keepers don’t like the way it looks in their aquarium. But this is a matter of personal preference. I must admit that I’m a fan of the Sponge Filter for its simplicity and the fact that it does a great job. Plus you can always camouflage it with a plant or two if you don’t like the way it looks.
Other types of filter can be suitable as long as the current they create isn’t too fierce. You do need to make sure that the intake part of the filter won’t suck up your Chilli Rasboras, their fry or tank mates though. It’s possible with a lot of filters to cover the intake with a filter sponge, or even something as simple as portion of ladies tights/pantyhose.
I guess the main point is to keep the filtration current minimal and safe.
Tip: When choosing a filter for your aquarium it needs to be able to cope with the water capacity and the amount of fish you are keeping. Some types of fish are messier than others so you need to take that into account too. Messy fish need more filtration to keep the water clean.
Do Chilli Rasboras Need A Light?
A Chilli Rasbora tank looks better when lit. However, lighting in a Chilli Rasbora tank needs to be subdued. The reason for this is that the Chilli Rasbora’s native habitat is generally dimly lit because of the overhanging tree branches and also the plants that grow there. There’s also the darkening of the water that is natural to peat bogs and/or naturally occurring tannins from leaf debris in pools and streams. So keep the lighting subtle in your Chilli Rasbora tank.
Even though it’s best to keep the tank light subdued there are benefits to having a light in your Chilli Rasbora tank.
Here’s some of the reasons why having a tank light for your Chilli Rasboras is a good idea
- An unlit tank looks dull and uninteresting
- A light helps you to see and enjoy your fish
- It’s easier to monitor the health of your fish if you have a tank light
- Having a tank light on during the day creates a difference between day and night
- If your Chilli Rasboras are in a community tank their tankmates may need a light
- Even the hardiest of aquatic plants need at least a minimal amount of light to thrive
You can probably think of more reasons than I’ve come up with for lighting your Chilli Rasbora tank. But either way even subdued lighting makes a big difference.
Tip: If your tank lighting is too bright you can subdue it by covering sections of the light with dark electrical tape to limit its output. You can also use floating plants to naturally block out some of the light before it reaches the water.
Do Chilli Rasboras Need A Heater?
Chilli Rasboras need a heated aquarium in the sense that stability in water temperature is important for them to thrive. So unless you’re keeping your Chilli Rasboras in a room that is constantly heated you will need to have a heater in their tank. The ideal temperature range for Chilli Rasboras is between 20-28 Degrees Celsius (68-82.4 Fahrenheit). With the warmer end of the scale being preferable when breeding.
If you would like your Chilli Rasboras to breed, or you’re actively planning to breed them, take a look at my article ‘How Do Chilli Rasboras Breed?’
The most important thing about water temperature for these fish is that the temperature remains stable. So you can keep it at the lower end of the scale (eg 20 Celsius/68 Fahrenheit) if you want/need to. You can also have it a little warmer if, for example, they have tankmates that like the temperature a bit higher. But as long as the temperature is consistent they will be happy.
The Chilli Rasbora is sensitive to rapid temperature changes particularly if the temperature drops dramatically. Colder water can cause shock which can kill them. So it’s important to slowly acclimate them when you introduce them to their new home.
What Kind Of Water Is Best For Chilli Rasbora?
Chilli Rasboras prefer soft acidic water which means they generally don’t do well in hard water. The water in a Chilli Rasbora tank also needs to be clean and have minimal flow/current. These fish also like an environment that contains tannins. You can introduce natural tannins into the water by adding things such as Catappa Leaves and Alder Cones to their aquarium.
Tip: It’s important to use a water treatment product on setup and for all water changes in your Chilli Rasbora tank. Choose a water treatment product that neutralizes Chlorine, Chloramines and other substances found in tap water that are harmful to aquarium fish.
Two popular Tap Water Conditioners that are popular with fish keepers are Prime by Seachem and API Tap Water Conditioner (both available on Amazon) but there are other tap water treatments and conditioners available too.
Tankmates For Chilli Rasbora
Although the Chilli Rasbora is often kept in a species only tank, due to it’s gentle nature and tendency to be a little shy at times, it doesn’t mean that you have to keep them on their own. Chilli Rasboras make a good community fish as long as the tank conditions are right and their tankmates are small and peaceful.
Chilli Rasboras are happy to share their aquarium with other compatible fish, shrimp and snails. Which is good news if you want to build up a community tank.
It’s worth noting that if you’re planning to breed your Chilli Rasboras keeping them in an aquarium where their tankmates are likely to eat the eggs/fry isn’t the best idea. The Chilli Rasboras themselves are not parental to their offspring and their tankmates definitely won’t be either.
But if you’re happy to wait and see what happens, and you would like to add other fish, shrimp and/or snails to the aquarium, then I’ve got a few suggestions for Chilli Rasbora tankmates.
Here’s Some Of The Fish/Shrimp/Snails That Make Good Tankmates For Chilli Rasbora
- Neon Tetra (colourful Nano fish)
- Celestial Pearl Danio (small peaceful fish/ other small Danios)
- Dwarf Gourami (eg Sparkling/Honey Gourami)
- Otocinclus (tiny ‘sucker’ catfish)
- Dwarf/Pygmy Corydoras (small peaceful catfish)
- Amano Shrimp (peaceful algae eating shrimp)
- Cherry Shrimp (all colour varieties)
- Snails (eg Nerite/Ramshorn/Rabbit/Mystery)
There are a lot more possible tankmates for your Chilli Rasboras but the list above should give you a good place to start.
Can I Add Chilli Rasboras To My Community Aquarium?
Although Chilli Rasboras are often kept in a species only tank they can be kept in a community tank as I’ve pointed out above. As long as the other tank inhabitants are peaceful, and the tank setup is suitable, things should work out well. And adding Chilli Rasboras will add extra colour and life to your aquarium.
As long as the tank you’re adding them to is well established and well maintained your Chilli Rasboras will thrive. And if you have enough plant cover you are likely to find that their number increases over time.
The Takeaway
I appreciate that I’ve given you a lot of information in this article about the Best Tank Setup For Chilli Rasboras. So I thought that it was a good idea to create a list of the main points that I’ve covered.
Here’s The Takeaway
- Decide how many Chilli Rasbora you want to keep before buying a lidded tank
- Soft acidic water is best for Chilli Rasbora
- Use plants, rocks and leaf debris etc to create a more natural environment
- Use a heater to keep the water temperature constant
- Filter the water with a minimal flow/current and keep the water clean/oxygenated
- Light the tank during the day but keep the lighting subdued
- Choose tankmates carefully
