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Batanta rainbowfish

Melanotaenia synergos

Also known as Synergos rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Batanta rainbowfish (Melanotaenia synergos)

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–86°F
25–30°C
pH
6.8–8.0
Adult size
3 in
7.7 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Batanta Island, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Overview

The Batanta rainbowfish is a compact, peaceful rainbowfish that suits a midwater community without the space demands of the larger species. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Batanta rainbowfish's scientific name is a thank-you. The species is named for the Synergos Institute, a nonprofit, to mark the group's twentieth anniversary. The word synergos is Greek for working together.

Caring for the Batanta rainbowfish

Keep Batanta rainbowfish in a school of six or more, in a tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger. Give them plants, some flow, open midwater for swimming, fine gravel or sand and a few pieces of wood.

Keep the water warm and neutral to alkaline, at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.8 to 8.0. Feed a varied diet of fine flake and small granules, with frozen daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp.

Batanta rainbowfish are peaceful and get along with small, calm tank mates. They do better with gentle company than with boisterous fish. A bigger school lets them shoal naturally and brings on the males' displays.

Breeding them is of medium difficulty. They lay adhesive eggs on plants or spawning mops each day over a week or more. The fiddly part is raising the pinhead-sized fry.

Good to know

Melanotaenia synergos is a rainbowfish in the family Melanotaeniidae, described by Allen and Unmack in 2008. It also goes by the name Synergos rainbowfish. Displaying males glow blue-violet over silver flanks.

In the wild

The Batanta rainbowfish lives in clear streams on Batanta Island, in the Raja Ampat group of West Papua. The island is better known above water for its coral reefs than for its creeks.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Batanta 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 Batanta rainbowfish need?

A Batanta rainbowfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Batanta rainbowfish need?

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

What does a Batanta rainbowfish eat?

A Batanta rainbowfish eats fine flake and small granules. Add frozen daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp for a varied diet.

How big does a Batanta rainbowfish get?

An adult Batanta rainbowfish reaches about 3 in (7.7 cm).

Does a Batanta rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Batanta rainbowfish breed?

Batanta rainbowfish lay adhesive eggs on plants or spawning mops each day over a week or more. Breeding them is of medium difficulty, and raising the pinhead-sized fry is the fiddly part.

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