Ammer rainbowfish

Melanotaenia ammeri

Also known as Ammer's rainbowfish, Ammeri rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–86°F (25–30°C)
pH: 6.8–8.0
Adult size: 4.6 in (11.7 cm)
Minimum tank: 42 gal (160 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Arguni Bay region, West Papua, Indonesia
Family: Melanotaeniidae

Overview

This is a full-bodied, active rainbowfish for a roomy midwater community, best kept in a school of six or more so the fish stay confident and the males color up as they spar. Its temperament is peaceful, so choose robust but gentle tankmates of similar size, such as larger tetras, barbs, other rainbowfishes, and peaceful catfish. Feed generously and vary the menu: a good flake or granule as a base, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp, and a little vegetable or algae food. Plan on a tank of at least 160 liters with length for the school to cruise.

In the wild

Ammer's rainbowfish comes from the Arguni Bay hinterland of West Papua, where it has been found in small, shallow forest creeks. Keep it warm and in neutral to alkaline water: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and a pH of 6.8 to 8.0, moderately hard. A planted tank with driftwood, some current, and clear open water down the middle mimics its home stream and shows the fish at its best.

Good to know

Melanotaenia ammeri belongs to the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae and was described by Allen, Unmack, and Hadiaty in 2008. Males reach roughly 11 centimeters and carry alternating mauve, blue-grey, and pale yellow stripes with yellow-tinted fins. Breeding is of medium difficulty in the usual rainbowfish way: it scatters adhesive eggs among fine plants or mops over successive days, and rearing the very small fry takes patience and tiny first foods.

Did you know

The species honors Max Ammer, a Dutch diver and conservationist who has worked in West Papua for years. In the wild it is known from only a narrow forest creek a couple of meters wide, so its entire natural range would fit inside a single small stream.