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: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Northern Australia, from the Kimberley to Cape York
Family: Melanotaeniidae

Overview

One of the easier and hardier rainbowfishes, this Australian is an active, peaceful midwater swimmer that does best in a school of six or more. It suits a lively community of similarly robust fish such as barbs, larger tetras, other rainbowfishes, and peaceful catfish, and its good size means it is not intimidated by busy tankmates. It is an unfussy eater: quality flake and granules, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, and some vegetable or algae food keep it in condition. Give a group at least 200 liters with plenty of length to cruise.

In the wild

The checkered rainbowfish ranges across tropical northern Australia, from the Northern Territory east into Queensland, living in clear streams, rivers, billabongs, and floodplain lagoons. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions: 22 to 30 degrees Celsius and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, from soft to hard water. A big planted tank with open swimming space, driftwood, and bright light suits it.

Good to know

Melanotaenia splendida inornata is the northern subspecies of the widespread splendid rainbowfish complex, in the family Melanotaeniidae, and it grows to about 12 centimeters. It is named for the checkerboard of dark spotting that peppers its scales and fins. Breeding is easy: well-fed groups scatter adhesive eggs onto plants and mops almost continuously, and the eggs and fry are among the more forgiving in the family to raise.

Did you know

The checkerboard spotting varies so much from river to river that keepers often track their fish by the drainage they came from, treating each wild population as its own distinctive line.

Tank mates

Checkered rainbowfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.