Gary Lange's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia garylangei

Also known as Wapoga dwarf neon rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Gary Lange's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia garylangei) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–84°F (24–29°C)
pH: 6.5–7.8
Adult size: 3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Wapoga River region, Papua, Indonesia
Family: Melanotaeniidae

Overview

A mid-sized, peaceful rainbowfish that colors young and suits a planted community, best kept in a school of at least six so the fish shoal and the males display. It mixes happily with other calm fish of similar size and is not demanding about company. Feed it well with a mix of quality flake and small granules alongside live and frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworm, which bring out the best color. A tank of around 110 liters gives a group room to swim.

In the wild

Gary Lange's rainbowfish comes from small rainforest creeks of the Wapoga region in Papua, clear water often stained the color of weak tea by leaf litter. Keep it at 24 to 29 degrees Celsius in soft to moderately hard water at a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. A planted tank with driftwood, some tannin-tinted water, and open swimming lanes suits it, with bright light to trigger morning display.

Good to know

Melanotaenia garylangei is a rainbowfish, family Melanotaeniidae, described by Graf, Herder, and Hadiaty in 2015. It reaches about 9 centimeters and carries a blue sheen over golden flanks in displaying males. Breeding is of medium difficulty: it scatters adhesive eggs onto fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days, and the small fry need very fine first foods.

Did you know

The species honors Gary Lange, an American aquarist whose repeated collecting trips to New Guinea brought many rainbowfishes into the hobby. Having a fish named after you is a rare tribute, usually reserved for scientists rather than hobbyists.

Tank mates

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