TankBud

Duboulayi's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia duboulayi

Also known as crimson-spotted rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Duboulayi's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Australia

Overview

Duboulayi's rainbowfish is a hardy, active schooling fish that swims through the middle of a community tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Duboulayi's rainbowfish was among the first Australian rainbowfish to reach aquarium keepers.

Caring for the Duboulayi's rainbowfish

Duboulayi's rainbowfish do well in a group of six or more, in a tank of 30 gal (115 L) or larger. Plant the sides and back with hardy plants and leave clear swimming room. A fine bed with wood and rock suits them, with clean water and a gentle flow.

They accept a wide temperature band, 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C). Give them neutral to slightly hard water at a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. As one of the more temperature-tolerant rainbowfish, they cope with cooler rooms. In a mild home they do not always need a heater.

Feed a varied diet of flake or pellet plus frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp for the strongest color. Duboulayi's rainbowfish stay peaceful with other sturdy community fish. Extra males add to the color displays.

Mature males are deeper bodied and show rows of red spots. They spawn continuously, releasing a few eggs each day onto fine plants and mops across a long season. The sticky eggs hang by short threads. Getting steady spawns and rearing the small fry takes work, so breeding them is hard.

Good to know

Melanotaenia duboulayi is a member of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. It is also known as the crimson-spotted rainbowfish, after the males' red spots.

In the wild

Duboulayi's rainbowfish comes from coastal drainages of eastern Australia, in Queensland and New South Wales. It lives in streams, ponds and slow rivers with plants and cover. These subtropical waters swing with the seasons.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Duboulayi's 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 Duboulayi's rainbowfish need?

A Duboulayi's rainbowfish needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Duboulayi's rainbowfish need?

A Duboulayi's rainbowfish is comfortable at 64–82°F (18–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a Duboulayi's rainbowfish eat?

A Duboulayi's rainbowfish eats flake or pellet plus frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. A varied diet brings out its strongest color.

How big does a Duboulayi's rainbowfish get?

An adult Duboulayi's rainbowfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does a Duboulayi's rainbowfish need a group?

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

How can you tell a male Duboulayi's rainbowfish from a female?

Mature males are deeper bodied and show rows of red spots.

How does a Duboulayi's rainbowfish breed?

Duboulayi's rainbowfish release a few sticky eggs each day onto fine plants and mops over a long season. Steady spawns and rearing the small fry take work, so breeding is hard.

Related species