Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Kamaka Rainbowfish are localised to the three Triton Lakes; Lake Kamakawaiar, Lakamora and Aiwaso, which are situated inland from Triton Bay, West Papua.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 27°C (75 – 81F)
Hardness: 6 – 14dH
Description: Melanotaenia kamaka display a flecked silver-blue colouration and blue-black posterior mid-lateral stripes. The fins are often blue to translucent and a blue-black patch can be present near the upper section of the eye. Females are usually less colourful and more translucent than the males. Kamaka Rainbowfish are part of the smaller Rainbowfish population; growing up to 6 -7 cm (2.36 - 2.76 inches). They can be expected to live up to five years.
Diet: Kamaka Rainbowfish will eagerly eat any food offered. Be sure to offer a mixed nutritious omnivorous diet with a base of flake or pellet food and weekly live or frozen food treats.
Breeding: Kamaka Rainbowfish are quite simple to breed. Two weeks prior to breeding, get your breeding pairs into condition by feeding them larger quantities of live food. Set up a separate breeding tank with abundant fine leaved plants, like java moss, or provide artificial spawning mops. The eggs will hatch within two days and should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on baby brine shrimp or similar.
Comments: Kamaka Rainbowfish do best in community and species aquariums that provide large open swimming areas as they are extremely energetic. Cater for their occasionally timid nature by providing hiding spots created by drift wood and dense aquatic vegetation. Make sure your tank has a tight-fitting lid as they are excellent jumpers.
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.
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