Batanta rainbowfish
Melanotaenia batanta
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Known only from Batanta Island in the Raja Ampat Islands of West Papua, Melanotaenia batanta were collected from Warmon Creek on the northern tip of the island. Batanta rainbowfish were only found in a 400 metre section of clear, moderately fast-flowing brackish mangrove habitat.
PH: 7 to 9, although naturally it varies considerably according to the seasons.
Temperature: 18° -32°C (72 – 90F)
Hardness: 0-12DH, although naturally it varies considerably according to the seasons.
Description: With an overall blue body, white to silver lower body, orange stripes between each horizontal scale, a dark blotch behind the eye and translucent fins, the Melanotaenia batanta makes for yet another beautiful rainbowfish variety. Males and females are alike in colouration making them unique in terms of typical rainbowfish gender colour and shape differences.. Males may reach a maximum size of 10 cm, but females are usually less than 8 cm.
Diet: Whilst there is no known record of this freshwater beauty being kept in aquarium conditions, we can infer that by mimicking the natural diet of the Melanotaenia batanta and providing a mixed omnivorous diet of live, frozen and processed aquarium foods, the aquarist would have the best chance of seeing a thriving fish community.
Breeding: There is no known record of this species being bred in captivity. Should you be lucky enough to be in a position to do so, it would be best to follow a breeding set up similar to its Melanotaenia relatives.
Comments: As yet, there is no recording of live specimens having been collected for the aquarium hobby. As with breeding, by replicating the habitat of Batanta Island, the hobbyist would be better set up for a healthy school of Batanta Rainbowfish . Choose a tank with an array of sheltered areas, secluded hiding spots, dense vegetation and submerged driftwood.
Tip: This species is often confused with its relative the Batanta Island Rainbowfish. Batanta Rainbowfish is a different species.
Article/Books:
Today’s Essential Guide to Growing Aquarium Plants: The Aquamaster Series
Culturing Live Foods: A Step-By-Step Guide to Producing Food for Your Home Aquarium
Setting up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week
Recommended Compatible Species:
Rainbowfish are a great community species in terms of their temperament and therefore live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platy and most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. One thing you should take into consideration when housing rainbows with these recommended species is the water quality. Temperature and Hardness are similar but P.H. can be quite different, although it is not ideal, if you keep your water at a P.H. of 7 this should keep your community happy.
Rainbowfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups consisting of at least six individuals, preferably no less than 10-15. Mix it up with enough females to give them a rest when the males are on the chase, but provide enough males to bring out their vibrant colours when they are in competition for female attention. Whilst this is beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the fish, a large school is rewarding for the aquarist because a school of iridescent Rainbowfish is more dramatic to the eye than a few shy fish peeking out from behind dense vegetation.
If you want to buy Rainbow fish the best place to get them is HERE
Originally posted 2009-11-03 23:28:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.