TankBud

Black-banded rainbowfish

Melanotaenia nigrans

Also known as Blackbanded rainbowfish, Black-lined rainbowfish, Dark Australian Rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Black-banded rainbowfish (Melanotaenia nigrans)
(c) Tom Ferguson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
32 gal
120 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Widespread across northern Australia from the eastern Kimberley to the tip of Cape York, in slow backwaters, billabongs, lily lagoons, rainforest streams and vegetated swamps.

Overview

Keep a group of at least six in a tank of 120 litres or more at 22 to 28 C with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A mixed sex group keeps the males displaying and colorful. It is peaceful and undemanding, making a good companion for other rainbowfish, larger rasboras and peaceful catfish. Feed varied flake, small pellets and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

In the wild

This hardy rainbowfish lives in slow, often heavily planted northern Australian waters, from clear streams to still billabongs and lily covered lagoons. It carries a dark horizontal band along the body with a red edged tail. Give it a planted tank at least 90 to 120 cm long with open swimming space, driftwood and gentle flow. It tolerates a wide range of conditions but shows best color in clean, slightly soft water.

Good to know

Melanotaenia nigrans was described in 1843, making it one of the earliest known members of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. Males develop deeper bodies and stronger red and yellow finnage than females. Field surveys record it in warm, slightly acidic water averaging around pH 6.9.

Did you know

Despite the plain name, breeding males flush with red, yellow and blue and flick their fins in dawn displays, and the species is tough enough to handle seasonal swings in temperature and water chemistry.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Black-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 Black-banded rainbowfish need?

A Black-banded rainbowfish needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Black-banded rainbowfish need?

A Black-banded rainbowfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.

How big does a Black-banded rainbowfish get?

An adult Black-banded rainbowfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Does a Black-banded rainbowfish need a group?

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

Related species