Fish Single - Variation 02

Western Rainbowfish

Give Your Fish a Healthier Home!

Your fish deserves more than a cramped bowl. Give them a beautiful, healthy nano tank they’ll thrive in. Ideal for small spaces, they’re low-maintenance, eye-catching, and perfect for showcasing vibrant fish, plants, and décor in any corner of your home!

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Scientific Name

Melanotaenia australis

Min. Tank Size

40 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

72-82°F

pH

6.5-7.5/5-20°dGH

Size

4.5"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Other Rainbowfish, Danios, Barbs, Characins, Gobies and Catfish. For a more exciting display consider a species tank appropriately sized to house 15 – 18 fish.

Western Rainbowfish

The Western Rainbowfish is endemic to western Australia where it can be found in rivers, creeks and the accompanying tributaries. They have also been observed living in the still waters of swamps and ponds as well as larger pools of water such as lakes and resevoirs. This particular species of Rainbowfish also displays a variety of colors and patterns depending on which region/population it came from. One of the most identifying chatacteristics is the dark colored pair of zig-zagging lines on the lower portion of the body. Adult males are larger, more colorful and deeper bodied than the females. Usually, it is the drabber juvenile fish that are most often seen for sale.

Tank Set-Up

In their natural environment, these fish tend to take cover in areas of dense vegetation and thus prefer to be kept in heavily planted tanks. Banded Rainbowfish also enjoy tanks decorated with gravel substrate and driftwood roots or branches. Dark gravel and plenty of plants will help to show off the beautiful collors of this fish. Banded Rainbowfish are also highly adapatable when it comes to water parameters which makes them a good choice for the beginning aquarist. These fish are quite peaceful in nature but, due to their size and rapid movements, they may intimidate smaller or timid species of fish. Therefore, when keeping with other species, choose tankmates of similar size and activity level. Like many Rainbowfish, the Banded Rainbowfish is most likely to thrive when kept in groups of at least six to eight of its own species.

Feeding

In the wild Western Rainbowfish feed on terrestrial and aquatic insects as well as crustaceans and filamentous algae. They are not fussy eaters and will eagerly accept most foods offered. Feed a high-quality flake or pellet as a staple and supplement several times a week with live and/or frozen foods. Brine shrimp, Daphnia, and bloodworms are all good choices. Feed a diet consisting of a variety of foods on a regular basis to promote the best health and coloration.

Breeding

Breeding Western Rainbowfish is relatively easy in the home aquarium. However, the adults may eat the eggs so you may want to consider a separate tank for raising the fry. The breeding tank should be kept at a pH of 7.0 and the temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because these fish are egg scatterers, the breeding tank should be filled with plenty of fine-leaved plants, like java moss, in which the female can deposit her eggs. Hatching time for the eggs is usually around 7 – 10 days and the newborn fry can be fed infusoria until large enough to start accepting a baby brine shrimp.