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Goldie River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia goldiei

Also known as Goldiei rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Goldie River rainbowfish (Melanotaenia goldiei)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–86°F
24–30°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Southern New Guinea, Goldie River and beyond

Overview

The Goldie River rainbowfish is an adaptable, peaceful classic among the big rainbowfishes, at home in the middle of a roomy community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The Goldie River rainbowfish was named by Macleay in 1883, after the Goldie River near Port Moresby. It is one of the earliest rainbowfishes known to science, cataloged decades before rainbowfishes became popular aquarium fish.

Caring for the Goldie River rainbowfish

Goldie River rainbowfish want a school of six or more and plenty of open water to cruise. Give a group at least 53 gal (200 L), where length is more useful than height. A planted tank with open midwater and some flow suits their habits.

They are undemanding about water, taking 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, soft to hard. They eat readily. Feed a staple flake or granule plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, with some green food.

Goldie River rainbowfish suit a robust community of barbs, larger tetras, other rainbowfishes and peaceful catfish. Their size keeps them comfortable among active tank mates. Breeding them is a moderate challenge, and they lay adhesive eggs on plants and mops over successive days.

Good to know

Melanotaenia goldiei belongs to the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. It wears pastel blue-gray tones with a dark lateral band, and populations vary subtly across its wide range. It also goes by Goldiei rainbowfish.

In the wild

The Goldie River rainbowfish is one of the most widespread rainbowfishes in southern New Guinea. It lives in rivers, creeks, lagoons and swampy backwaters from the Port Moresby area west into Indonesian Papua.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Goldie River 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 Goldie River rainbowfish need?

A Goldie River rainbowfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Goldie River rainbowfish need?

A Goldie River rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a Goldie River rainbowfish eat?

A Goldie River rainbowfish eats readily, taking a staple flake or granule plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Add some green food as well.

How big does a Goldie River rainbowfish get?

An adult Goldie River rainbowfish reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a Goldie River rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Goldie River rainbowfish breed?

Goldie River rainbowfish lay adhesive eggs on plants and mops over successive days. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species