Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish is known only from Lake Kuromai on the Vogelkop Peninsula of Western New Guinea, Indonesia. As they are lake dwellers, they prefer low currents and clear, clean water.
PH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 24°C -26°C (75 – 79F)
Hardness: 12 – 16dH
Description: In usual Rainbowfish form, the males are far more attractive than their female counterparts. The male Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish exhibit a beautiful blue to mauve body with a black midlateral band, silver speckle inflections and red fins. The females are less colourful although still display the red fins. They grow up to 7 - 9 cm (2.7 - 3.5 in).
Diet: In the wild, Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish live mainly on insects but will thrive on a wide variety of omnivorous dried, frozen and live food in an aquarium set up. Live food supplements may include insect larvae or brine shrimp.
Breeding: Set up a separate breeding tank with lots of fine leaved plants, like java moss, or provide artificial spawning mops. After hatching, the fry should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on crushed algal flake or baby brine shrimp after about 2-4 weeks, and keep them separate until they are ready to rejoin the community tank. Wait until the fry are large enough before you feed them baby brine shrimp because the latter have been known to try and eat the fry.
Comments: Keeping the peaceful Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish is easy and is a suitable addition to a community or species tank.
Remember that they like clear, clean water so regular water changes are a must. With their trademark non-aggressive natures, they will do well in a community aquarium. Keep your tank well-planted, and provide plenty of areas for open swimming and places to hide. Additionally, keep a low current in your tank as this mimics their natural habitat.
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 13:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.