Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Known only from Werfyang Creek, part of the Triton Lakes on the southern coast of West Papua, Pierucci’s rainbowfish are found in the crystal clear, rapid flowing waters that run through dense rainforest habitat.
PH: 6.5 – 8.0
Temperature: Unknown although generally 72 – 82F is suitable for most rainbowfish
Hardness: 6-12 dGH
Description: Melanotaenia pierucciae exhibit a main body colour of mauve with a bronze sheen. Body scales have a thin dark outline and black to dark blue stripes enhance their scale rows. They grow up to 8cm and as usual, the females are smaller and less vibrantly coloured.
Diet: Although there is not a lot of information recorded about the specific dietary requirements of this fish, we can infer that it would survive well on a typical rainbowfish omnivorous diet supplemented by live food portions. Feed twice daily.
Breeding: There is scant information available about breeding Pierucci’s rainbowfish in the aquarium hobby.
Try to follow the usual breeding set up for rainbowfish. This includes providing plentiful spawning mops or fine leaved plants for spawning. Elevate the temperature slightly and bring your breeding pair into mating condition by increasing the quantity and quality of live food offerings.
After hatching, the fry should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on vinegar eels and small foods.
Comments: As with other rainbowfish, Pierucci’s rainbowfish is a peaceful, yet lively swimmer. Provide a harmonious balance of hiding places, such as rocks or caves and plant your tank out with abundant plant life. Provide open swimming areas and at least a 30 gallon tank.
This little middle dweller will make a beautiful addition to both community and species aquariums.
Good filtration and frequent water changes are important.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species:
To bring out intense colouration, keep several male rainbows in one tank.
Melanotaenia pierucciae exhibit the usual peaceful temperament of the rainbowfish variety and should be tanked with other similarly sized, non-aggressive fish. They should live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They also should be good tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also should live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish could make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-04-20 23:48:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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