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Ammer rainbowfish

Melanotaenia ammeri

Also known as Ammer's rainbowfish, Ammeri rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Ammer rainbowfish (Melanotaenia ammeri)

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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Arguni Bay region, West Papua, Indonesia

Overview

The Ammer rainbowfish is a full-bodied, active rainbowfish for a roomy midwater community. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The Ammer rainbowfish honors Max Ammer, a Dutch diver and conservationist who has worked in West Papua for years. In the wild it is known only from a narrow forest creek a couple of meters wide.

Caring for the Ammer rainbowfish

Keep Ammer rainbowfish in a school of six or more, so they stay confident and the males color up as they spar. Give them a tank of 42 gal (160 L) or larger, with length for the school to cruise. A planted tank with driftwood, some current and clear open water down the middle mimics their home stream.

Keep the water warm, neutral to alkaline and moderately hard, at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.8 to 8.0. Feed generously and vary the menu. Use a good flake or granule as a base, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp and a little vegetable or algae food.

Ammer rainbowfish are peaceful. Choose robust but gentle tank mates of a similar size, such as larger tetras, barbs, other rainbowfishes and peaceful catfish.

Males carry alternating mauve, blue-gray and pale yellow stripes, with yellow-tinted fins. Breeding is of medium difficulty, in the usual rainbowfish way. They scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or mops over successive days. Rearing the very small fry takes patience and tiny first foods.

Good to know

Melanotaenia ammeri belongs to the rainbowfish family, Melanotaeniidae. Allen, Unmack and Hadiaty described it in 2008. It also goes by the name Ammer's rainbowfish.

In the wild

The Ammer rainbowfish comes from the Arguni Bay hinterland of West Papua, Indonesia. It has been found in small, shallow forest creeks.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Ammer rainbowfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Ammer rainbowfish need?

An Ammer rainbowfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Ammer rainbowfish need?

An Ammer rainbowfish is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.8–8.0.

What does an Ammer rainbowfish eat?

An Ammer rainbowfish eats a good flake or granule as a base, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Add a little vegetable or algae food.

How big does an Ammer rainbowfish get?

An adult Ammer rainbowfish reaches about 4.6 in (11.7 cm).

Does an Ammer rainbowfish need a group?

Yes. An Ammer rainbowfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Ammer rainbowfish from a female?

Males carry alternating mauve, blue-gray and pale yellow stripes, with yellow-tinted fins.

How does an Ammer rainbowfish breed?

Ammer rainbowfish scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or spawning mops over successive days. Breeding them is of medium difficulty, and rearing the very small fry takes patience and tiny first foods.

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