Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: As you would expect, Melanotaenia fluviatilis is endemic to the Murray-Darling River systems in Australia. You will find them in still or slow-moving rivers, billabongs and creeks, drains, ponds, and reservoirs.
PH: 7.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 25°C (72 – 77F)
Hardness: 12 – 16dH
Description: With main body colourations of olive to brown with possible turquoise tinges, the specific colours of Melanotaenia fluviatilis depend on water conditions and location of the particular fish. Their fins are red or clear and can be decorated with light dots. Occasionally, narrow brown, red or dark stripes can adorn the Murray River Rainbowfish. They grow to a potential length of 11cm (4 inches) although most only reach 8cm (3 inches).
Diet: A nutritious varied omnivorous diet will keep your Murray River Rainbowfish in top form. Feed regular portions of beef-heart mix, blood worms, black worms, mosquito larvae, flakes, small pellets and tetra bits to supplement their diet.
Breeding: Breeding is very easy by mimicking the seasonal changes experienced in the wild. 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.
Expect 150-200 eggs to be laid in the morning sun. The eggs will hatch after seven days and should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on baby brine shrimp or similar.
Comments: The Murray River Rainbowfish is a lively shoaling fish who appreciates the morning sun. They are suitable for community and species aquariums. Provide a 100cm tank with large open swimming areas, hiding spots created by drift wood and dense plant life, and good filtration for these energetic, yet peaceful rainbows. Go for a sandy substrate and a very tight fitting lid as these fish jump when startled.
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 12:25:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.