Rasboras, danios & minnows · Microdevario kubotai

Kubotai rasbora care guide

Also called: Neon green rasbora, Green neon rasbora, Neon yellow rasbora, Green kubotai rasbora, Kubota's microrasbora

The kubotai rasbora is a tiny, neon green-yellow schooling fish that reaches about 0.8 in (2 cm). It's peaceful, safe with adult shrimp and glows in a dark planted tank, but it needs stable, clean water and a group of 10 or more.

Kubotai rasboras need a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 L), a group of 10 or more, and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6–7. They grow to about 2 cm (0.8 in) and are peaceful.

Plan a tank with kubotai rasborasSee all tank mates

Kubotai rasbora quick facts

Scientific nameMicrodevario kubotai
FamilyDanionidae
OriginForest streams of western peninsular Thailand and southern Myanmar
Adult size2 cm (0.8 in)
Minimum tank15 gallons (57 L), at least 60 cm (24 in) long
Temperature22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH6–7
Hardness (GH)2–10 dGH
Group size10 or more (schooling fish)
TemperamentPeaceful
Swims atMiddle
DietOmnivore
Care levelModerate
Lifespan3–5 years
Safe with shrimp?Mostly (eats baby shrimp)
Safe with plants?Yes

Tank setup

A planted tank of at least 15 gallons (57 L), about 24 in (60 cm) long, gives a school room to swim. Kubotai are more active than most nano fish and use open mid-water space. A dark substrate and background make their color glow, while bare, bright tanks wash them out. Use gentle to moderate flow and cover the filter intake.

How many kubotai rasboras in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits kubotai rasboras is a 15 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

TankKubotai rasboras (alone)
3 gallonToo small
5 gallonToo small
10 gallonToo small
15 gallon10–57
20 gallon10–77
20 gallon long10–77
29 gallon10–111
40 gallon10–154
55 gallon10–211
75 gallon10–289
125 gallon10–481

What you need for kubotai rasboras

Sized for a 15 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 10 kubotai rasboras. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.

Tank and equipment

Food and extras for kubotai rasboras

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Water parameters

Aim for 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.0–7.0 and soft to moderately hard water (about 2–10 dGH). They come from clear, well-oxygenated forest streams, so keep the water clean with weekly partial changes. Add them only to a fully cycled, mature tank.

Best tank mates for kubotai rasboras

These popular species share kubotai rasboras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 86 good matches.

Avoid keeping kubotai rasboras with

  • Angelfish: Angelfish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Common goldfish: Common goldfish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Fancy goldfish: Fancy goldfish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Oscar: Oscar can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Bala shark: Bala shark can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Blood parrot cichlid: Blood parrot cichlid can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.

Feeding

In the wild they eat tiny invertebrates, zooplankton and some algae. Feed crushed flakes or micro pellets, plus baby brine shrimp, daphnia or cyclops (live, frozen or freeze-dried) several times a week. A few small meals work better than one large one.

Behavior

Kubotai are peaceful, fast little schoolers that rarely sit still. In groups of 10 or more they are confident and show their best color, while small groups stay pale and nervous. Keep them with other small, calm fish such as chili rasboras, ember tetras, pygmy corydoras and small loaches. Adult dwarf shrimp are safe with them.

Breeding

They scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants or moss and give no care to the young. A mature planted tank may produce a few fry on its own. For more fry, use a small tank packed with java moss or a spawning mop, add a pair or small group, and remove the adults after 2–3 days. Fry need very fine food such as infusoria at first, then baby brine shrimp.

Tips from experienced keepers

  • Use a dark substrate or background. Their green color looks dull in bright, bare tanks.
  • Acclimate slowly and quarantine new fish. They can be delicate after shipping.
  • Females are larger and deeper-bodied. Males are slimmer and more brightly colored.
  • Good for shrimp tanks: adults ignore grown shrimp, though they may take a few babies.

Frequently asked questions

How many kubotai rasboras should be kept together?

Keep at least 10. In the wild they live in schools of 20–50 and they become shy and pale in small groups.

Are kubotai rasboras shrimp safe?

Yes, for adult dwarf shrimp. They are too small to harm grown cherry or crystal shrimp, but they may pick off a few newborn shrimplets.

Why is my kubotai rasbora not green?

New or stressed fish are often pale. In a dark, planted tank with good food and a big enough group, their neon green color usually develops within a few weeks.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.