TankBud

Barred rainbowfish

Chilatherina fasciata

Also known as Fasciata rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Barred rainbowfish (Chilatherina fasciata)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–86°F
24–30°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Native to northern New Guinea in the Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Mamberamo river systems, where it lives in clear rainforest streams and lakes from the lowlands up to around 500 m elevation.

Overview

The barred rainbowfish is a peaceful, active schooling fish for a large community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Adult male barred rainbowfish intensify their colors and flick their fins each morning as they compete for females. They look their best in the first hour after the lights come on.

Caring for the barred rainbowfish

Keep barred rainbowfish in a group of six or more, in a tank of 53 gal (200 L) or larger. They are active open-water swimmers that need length to cruise, so choose a tank at least 120 cm long. A sandy or fine gravel base, some driftwood and hardy background plants suit them, with plenty of clear swimming space.

Keep the water clean and well filtered, at 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Steady water movement keeps them settled. Feed a varied diet of quality flake, small pellets and frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp.

Barred rainbowfish are peaceful, active shoalers that mix well with other rainbowfish, larger rasboras and peaceful barbs. Include females in the group so the males stay colorful. Males are deeper bodied and more intensely colored than females. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Chilatherina fasciata belongs to the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae, the same group as the Melanotaenia species. Populations from different river systems vary in the shade of their vertical barring.

In the wild

Barred rainbowfish come from the Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Mamberamo river systems of northern New Guinea. They shoal in clear, moderately flowing streams and lakes that cut through the rainforest, from the lowlands up to around 500 m. They often swim over gravel and among submerged roots.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The barred 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 barred rainbowfish need?

A barred rainbowfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a barred rainbowfish need?

A barred rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a barred rainbowfish eat?

A barred rainbowfish eats a varied diet of quality flake and small pellets. Add frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp.

How big does a barred rainbowfish get?

An adult barred rainbowfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does a barred rainbowfish need a group?

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

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

Males are deeper bodied and more intensely colored than females.

Related species