- Scientific name: Boraras Brigittae
- Common Name: Boraras Mosquito, Rasbora Mosquito, Mosquito
- Aquarium size: 45 liters
- Temperament: Calm
- Temperature: Between 20º and 28ºC
- pH: Between 4 and 7
- Diet: Omnivores
- Length: 3 cms
Description
The Boraras Brigittae fish, also known as Mosquito or Boraras Mosquito , is a fish from the Cyprinidae family .
Its name Boraras, is an anagram of the generic name Rasbora , referring to the inverse proportion of the abdominal and caudal vertebrae of this genus of fish.
The name Boraras was chosen in 1993, with the intention of separating a small group of species from the larger Rasbora, on the basis of some morphological and reproductive differences.
Therefore, it is possible that we will find references to this fish as Rasbora Brigittae and it will not really be a mistake, although it is outdated information.
We are before a fish ofextremely small size warm fresh water ideal for small aquariums.
Morphology
As I mentioned in the previous section, we are dealing with small specimens, which are usually not more than 3 to 3.5 centimeters long.
They are elongated and laterally flattened fish, with a rather thin profile.
The pectoral fins of the Boraras Brigittae are totally transparent , while the dorsal fin has a spot in its anterior part, surrounded by the same predominant color in the fish, scarlet, to finish totally transparent.
The other fins, anal and caudal, are edged in scarlet color. The anal also has a black trim.
Coloration
On their side they present a very visible black spot, since the bottom of the fish is bright scarlet (intense red, between crimson and scarlet).
This spot is larger, thicker and more defined, at the height of the covers, and ends up merging in the tail fin.
Sexual dimorphism
There are no very obvious differences between the male and female Boraras Brigittae, although it is possible to distinguish the females from the males, because they are somewhat rounder and slightly larger.
The males usually show a more intense coloration than the females, as well as some red spots on the tail fin, which are not present in the females either.
Distribution and habitat
The Boraras Brigittae, is an endemic species of southwest Borneo , where it is possible to find it in streams known as «black waters», ponds, pools or swamps , with peat bottoms, originated by the oldest forests. They are places with little current.
The waters in which they live have a large amount of organic matter, full of leaves and branches from the forest.
This being the case, the water in which they usually live in the free state is quite soft and acidic, with little light, due to the large amount of surrounding vegetation.
Aquarium conditions
We are talking about really small fish, which will be perfectly in a 40-45 liter aquarium, where they will have enough space to swim. The water must be kept at a temperature between 20ºC and 28ºC, with a pH between 4 and 7, hardness between 3º and 8º GH.
A perfect recreation of its natural habitat, it should have an aquarium with an abundance of background plants, as well as some floating plants, roots or branches, that filter the light that enters the aquarium. In any case, the lighting should be dim.
To complete the reproduction of its natural biotope, leaves can be added to the water. Once the decomposition of the leaves begins, colonies of microbes will grow, which will be a secondary source of food for the fry, as well as for the adult specimens, since the chemical substances released in the decomposition, perfectly recreate the water environment black where they come from.
The filtration must be weak, we must not forget that they tend to live in pools of water, where the current is scarce.
Aquariums by size
- Small aquariums
- 10 liter aquariums
- 20 liter aquariums
- 30 liter aquariums
- 40 liter aquariums
- 50 liter aquariums
- 60 liter aquariums
- 80 liter aquariums
- 100 liter aquariums
Aquarium type
- Complete aquarium kits
- Nano aquariums
- Prawns
- Aquariums for Bettas
- Tortugueros
- Aquariums for kids
- Farrowing
- Cheap aquariums
Trademarks
- AquaLed
- Tetra
Diet
We are facing an omnivorous fish, which in the wild is a predator, feeding on small insects, worms, crustaceans and zooplankton.
In the aquarium, we can feed it with dry food, as long as it is of the right size, as well as small live and frozen insects such as Daphnia or Artemia.
The quality of the food has a positive influence on its coloration, as well as its reproduction.
Everything you need to maintain your aquarium
- Best digital pH meter
- Best Aquarium Test
- Best anti-algae
- Best bacteria for aquarium
- Best siphoner for aquarium
- Best Aquarium Water Clarifiers
- Best reverse osmosis filters for aquarium
- Best UV lamps for aquariums
Behavior and compatibility
The Boraras mosquito is a very peaceful fish, but also very shy. It is ideal to have a small group of specimens (6 or 8), so that they look better in the community aquarium, although ideally they should remain alone.
If we prefer the community aquarium option, the chosen species must be equally small, such as Pygmy Corydoras , Microdevary, small Loricards, Eirmotus …
Compatible fish boraras
Compatible fish without restrictions
- Female betta
- Ancistrus
- Otocinclus
- Killi
- Tiger Barbel
- Molly
- Platy Fish
- Drunk
- Neon Tetra
- Ramirezi
Compatible fish without restrictions
- Zebra fish
- Barbel Cherry
- Corydoras
- Guppy endler
- Rasbora Galaxy
- Monjita Fish
- Chinese Neon
- Ax fish
- Snail Apple
- Guppy
- Harlequin
Restricted Compatible Fish
- Goldfish
- Silver dollar
- Telescope fish
- Eat Siamese seaweed
- Disk
- Gourami Pearl
- Rainbow
- Scalar
Reproduction
The Boraras Brigittae exhibits a behavior similar to other small cyprinids, with a continuous spawning, dispersing and an absolute lack of parental care.
In good conditions, the mix of females and males will produce daily spawning of small amounts of eggs. If you have a mature aquarium with time, it is possible to find small fry, without the need to intervene at all.
But, if you want to achieve a more controlled reproduction, you should install a breeding aquarium, with a capacity of about 15 liters.
For a successful reproduction, we must ensure the following conditions:
- The aquarium must be dimly lit, with a mesh at the bottom, mat or similar, so that the eggs that fall to the bottom cannot be reached by the adults, since they can be eaten.
- The water must have a pH between 5 and 6.5, with a temperature close to 28ºC.
- Moss or fine plants can be added, covering about half of the available space. Equip the aquarium with a sponge filter.
- Introduce two or three pairs of adults into the aquarium. The transfer should be done slowly, to avoid stress for the specimens.
If they are in good condition, they should start spawning the next day. - As soon as the first eggs have been laid, we must remove the adult specimens, since the fry will begin to hatch in two days.
- The little ones survive in their sacks, for about 24 hours, then they will need microscopic food to survive.
- By ten days, they should be big enough to eat nauplii or Artemia microgenesis.
Tips
This variety of fish, which have evolved into small fish,
