Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The small, clear, fast flowing streams of Australia’s Northern Territory is home to the majority of the Exquisite Rainbowfish population. Additionally, Melanotaenia exquisita can also be found in Western Australia’s King George River and in Lake Malkyullumbo in Northern Australia. It is not unusual for this adorable Australian to be found swimming around in rocky pools after waterfalls.
PH: 7.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C -30°C (75 – 86F)
Hardness: 16 – 20dH
Description: A vibrant mixture of olive and silver comprise the back and lower sections of the adult Exquisite Rainbowfish. Black and red stripes with dark zigzags, black spotting and bright red fins adorn this truly exquisite native Australian. The Exquisite Rainbowfish grow up to 7cm (2.8 inches).
Diet: A nutritious varied omnivorous diet will keep your Exquisite Rainbowfish in good form. Use dried food as a base and supplement with live or frozen food. They are not picky eaters.
Breeding: There is not a lot of information available about breeding Exquisite Rainbowfish in the aquarium hobby. However, if you follow their usual water requirements and mimic the natural habitat during the abundant wet season, you may be successful. Get your breeding pairs into condition by feeding them larger quantities of live food. Set up a separate breeding tank with lots of fine leaved plants, like java moss, or spawning mops.
The eggs will hatch within ten days and should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on baby brine shrimp or similar and keep them separate until they are ready to rejoin the community tank.
Comments: The Exquisite Rainbowfish are generally not hard to keep as long as you maintain the water condition. Use their natural environment as a template for your aquarium – include hiding spots, plentiful aquatic vegetation and watch the nitrate levels as they are sensitive to it. Change at least 25% of the water on a weekly basis. A tank sized at 100cm (3 feet) is suited for the energetic Exquisite Rainbowfish, making sure that there are large areas provided for open swimming.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species:
Rainbowfish are a great community species in terms of their temperament and apart from other Rainbowfish species they also 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.
Originally posted 2009-11-22 12:20:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.