TankBud

Banded rainbowfish

Melanotaenia trifasciata

Also known as Trifasciata Rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Banded rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
50 gal
190 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Australia

Overview

The banded rainbowfish is an active, sizeable schooling fish for the middle of a spacious community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Banded rainbowfish are well known among keepers for their regional color forms. Names like Goyder River point to the exact creek a strain came from. Two fish of the same species can look strikingly different, depending on where their line originated.

Caring for the banded rainbowfish

Keep banded rainbowfish in a group of six or more, in a tank of 50 gal (190 L) or larger. They swim hard and can reach 5.9 in (15 cm), so give them plenty of length to move. Plant the back and sides densely with sturdy plants, and keep a long open lane in front. A fine substrate with driftwood or rockwork suits them.

Keep the water clean and well filtered, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. A little current mimics the flow of their home streams. Feed a varied diet of good flake or pellet with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and the odd bit of vegetable matter.

Banded rainbowfish are peaceful and suit a spacious community with other robust, peaceful species. Males compete in color and fin displays, but without any real aggression.

They spawn continuously, dropping a small number of eggs each day onto fine plants or wool mops over weeks. Coaxing a good spawn and raising the tiny fry takes effort, so breeding them is hard.

Good to know

Melanotaenia trifasciata is one of the larger members of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae, though it is often seen a little below full size. Its scientific name refers to the dark band that runs the length of the body. Some keepers know it as the trifasciata rainbow.

In the wild

The banded rainbowfish lives across northern Australia, in clear coastal and inland streams that run over sand and stone. These streams get plenty of sunlight and aquatic growth, and their water is typically warm and neutral to slightly hard.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The banded 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 a banded rainbowfish need?

A banded rainbowfish needs at least 50 gal (190 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a banded rainbowfish need?

A banded rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a banded rainbowfish eat?

A banded rainbowfish eats good flake or pellet, with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Give it the odd bit of vegetable matter as well.

How big does a banded rainbowfish get?

An adult banded rainbowfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Does a banded rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a banded rainbowfish breed?

Banded rainbowfish spawn continuously, dropping a small number of eggs each day onto fine plants or wool mops. Raising the tiny fry takes effort, and breeding them is hard.

Related species