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Checkered rainbowfish

Melanotaenia splendida inornata

Also known as Checkered splendid rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Checkered rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida inornata)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Easy
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Northern Australia, from the Kimberley to Cape York

Overview

The checkered rainbowfish is one of the easier and hardier rainbowfishes. It is an active, peaceful schooler for the middle of a busy community tank.

Did you know

The checkered rainbowfish's spotting varies so much from river to river that keepers often track their fish by the drainage they came from. Keepers treat each wild population as its own distinctive line.

Caring for the checkered rainbowfish

Give a school of six or more checkered rainbowfish at least 29 gal (110 L), with plenty of length to cruise. A big planted tank with open swimming space, driftwood and bright light suits them.

They tolerate a wide range of conditions, from soft to hard water. Keep the temperature at 72 to 86°F (22 to 30°C) and the pH at 6.5 to 8.0. They are unfussy eaters. Quality flake and granules, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, and some vegetable or algae food keep them in condition.

Checkered rainbowfish suit a lively community of similarly robust fish. Good companions include barbs, larger tetras, other rainbowfishes and peaceful catfish. Their good size means busy tank mates do not intimidate them.

Breeding them is easy. Well-fed groups scatter adhesive eggs onto plants and mops almost continuously. The eggs and fry are among the more forgiving in the family to raise.

Good to know

Melanotaenia splendida inornata is the northern subspecies of the widespread splendid rainbowfish complex, in the family Melanotaeniidae. Its common name comes from the checkerboard of dark spotting that peppers its scales and fins. It is also called the checkered splendid rainbowfish.

In the wild

The checkered rainbowfish ranges across tropical northern Australia, from the Kimberley to Cape York. It lives in clear streams, rivers, billabongs and floodplain lagoons.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The checkered 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 checkered rainbowfish need?

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

What temperature and pH does a checkered rainbowfish need?

A checkered rainbowfish is comfortable at 72–86°F (22–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a checkered rainbowfish eat?

A checkered rainbowfish eats quality flake and granules, with frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp. Add some vegetable or algae food to keep it in condition.

How big does a checkered rainbowfish get?

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

Does a checkered rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a checkered rainbowfish breed?

Checkered rainbowfish breed easily. Well-fed groups scatter adhesive eggs onto plants and mops almost continuously, and the eggs and fry are forgiving to raise.

Related species