Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The hardy Eastern Rainbowfish is found in almost every freshwater habitat, with a slight preference for clear, slow moving streams. Geographically, this native Queenslander is found in Rockhampton in Central Queensland, east of the Great Dividing Range, and also along the coast of Queensland from Gladstone to the Normanby River system in Cape York Peninsula .
PH: 5.0 – 8.5
Temperature: 20°C -30°C (68 – 86F)
Hardness: 6 – 15dH
Description: With main body colours of vibrant variances of red, gold and blues, Melanotaenia splendida splendida is sure to delight any keen aquarist. Typical of all Rainbowfish, the male has a larger dorsal fins, is deeper bodied, more colourful and has a sloped notched forehead than their female counterparts. The large radiant Eastern rainbowfish can live for five years and grow up to 15cm long.
Diet: Although naturally carnivorous, the Eastern Rainbowfish are easy feeders and will readily accept most omnivorous commercial foods, whether live or frozen. Feed them high quality flake or pellet food as their staple diet but do offer live food like brine shrimp and blood worms. Supplement their diet with chopped up, defrosted peas or fresh salad lettuce to fulfil their vegetable dietary needs.
Breeding: Breeding the Eastern Rainbowfish is easy as they are prolific breeders, and are not picky about water requirements. The only potential problem that you could encounter is in raising the fry. Get your breeding pairs into condition by feeding them higher quality and quantities of live and plant based food. Set up a separate breeding tank with lots of fine leaved plants or spawning mops. Keep the breeding pair in a species only tank as they will cross breed with other Rainbowfish.
The eggs will hatch within a week and should be removed to a separate tank to avoid predation. Feed on crushed algal flake or baby brine shrimp and keep them separate until they are ready to rejoin the community tank.
Comments: The hardiest of all Rainbowfish, the Eastern Rainbowfish are specially suitable for beginners. Characteristic traits of peacefulness, active swimming and reflective rainbow colouration will enliven any community aquarium. Provide plentiful aquatic vegetation, submerged logs and large open areas for swimming.
A tank sized at 55 gallons is best suited for this larger Rainbowfish, and be sure to keep a firm lid on the top of your aquarium to prevent your Eastern Rainbowfish from jumping out of the top.
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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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