Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Phoenix Rasbora - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Phoenix Rasbora at a glance
Adult size: 0.7 inch · Minimum tank/pond: 10 gallons · Difficulty: intermediate · Diet: omnivore · Lifespan: 2-4 years.
Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras merah) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Phoenix Rasbora comes from
Phoenix Rasbora (Boraras merah) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Phoenix Rasbora sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Phoenix Rasbora tank size and setup
Phoenix Rasbora requires a minimum of 10 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (0.7 inch), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Phoenix Rasbora sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Phoenix Rasbora setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Phoenix Rasbora eats
Phoenix Rasbora is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Phoenix Rasbora appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Phoenix Rasbora tankmates and compatibility
Phoenix Rasbora works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Phoenix Rasbora and similar species.
Phoenix Rasbora adult size and lifespan
Phoenix Rasbora reaches 0.7 inch at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 2-4 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Phoenix Rasbora?
Phoenix Rasbora can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Research the species-specific breeding requirements before attempting.
Common Phoenix Rasbora diseases and problems
Phoenix Rasbora is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Phoenix Rasbora for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Phoenix Rasbora online
Phoenix Rasbora is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Phoenix Rasbora from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Phoenix Rasbora FAQ
How big does Phoenix Rasbora get?
0.7 inch at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Phoenix Rasbora live?
2-4 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
10 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Phoenix Rasbora hard to keep?
Phoenix Rasbora is rated intermediate difficulty.
What does Phoenix Rasbora eat?
Phoenix Rasbora is a omnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Phoenix Rasbora taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.