Australian Rainbow

fish description – Australian Rainbowfish Care Guide ($Melanotaeniafluviatilis$)

Export to Sheets

Appearance and Sexual Differences

• Short Description: This fish is known for its slender, laterally compressed body, which shimmers with a silvery-green or blue-green iridescence. Males develop subtle red spotting on their fins and may have a black edge during breeding.
• Coloration: Body color is variable, generally silvery-green with a potential for purple or orange horizontal stripes in females. Males have more vibrant colors, especially when displaying, and may show a pink or reddish spot on the gill cover.
• Fins: The two dorsal fins are distinct and set back. Males are slightly larger, deeper-bodied, and have more pointed dorsal fins with red spots and dark edges when breeding. Females are smaller with more subdued coloration.
• Behavior: A very active fish that thrives when swimming rapidly in a shoal. They primarily occupy the middle and top water levels and are known jumpers, requiring a secure lid.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons (150 Liters) is recommended to accommodate a school of 6 or more. They need a long tank to provide ample horizontal swimming space.
• Schooling: Should be kept in schools of at least 6 individuals or more. Keeping a large group reduces stress and promotes healthy social behavior. A ratio of more females than males (e.g., 2:1) is advisable.
• Temperature: Subtropical/Tropical range: 71∘–79∘F (22∘–26∘C). They tolerate a slightly cooler range than many other tropical species.
• pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic water: 6.5 to 7.5. They are hardy and adaptable to a range of water hardness but require clean, well-oxygenated water with regular water changes (25% weekly).
• Aquascape: The sides and back of the aquarium should be planted with dense vegetation (e.g., Vallisneria or Java Fern), leaving the front and center open for swimming. A dark substrate and floating plants help enhance their color by subduing the lighting.

Diet and Feeding

The Australian Rainbowfish is an omnivore that accepts a wide variety of foods.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food or small pellets. Ensure food is broken into manageable pieces due to their relatively small throats.
• Supplementation: For best color and health, provide live or frozen protein-rich foods: Bloodworms, Daphnia, and Brine Shrimp. Include vegetable matter like spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables.
• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are surface feeders, so ensure the food is easily accessed at the water surface.

Compatibility

• Caution: Though generally peaceful, active males can sometimes be minor fin-nippers, particularly toward slow-moving, long-finned species.
• Good Tank Mates: Other peaceful, similarly sized community fish. Excellent companions include Neon Tetras, Zebra Danios, Harlequin Rasboras, Dwarf Gouramis, and peaceful bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish.