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
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Southern New Guinea, Goldie River and beyond
Family: Melanotaeniidae

Overview

An adaptable, peaceful classic among the larger rainbowfishes, this fish wants a school of six or more and plenty of open water to cruise. It suits a robust community of barbs, larger tetras, other rainbowfishes, and peaceful catfish, and its size keeps it comfortable among active tankmates. It eats readily: a staple flake or granule plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp, with some green food. Give a group at least 200 liters, with length being more useful than height.

In the wild

The Goldie River rainbowfish is one of the most widespread rainbowfishes in southern New Guinea, living in rivers, creeks, lagoons, and swampy backwaters from the Port Moresby area west into Indonesian Papua. It is undemanding: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, soft to hard. A planted tank with open midwater and some flow suits its roaming habits.

Good to know

Melanotaenia goldiei, family Melanotaeniidae, was named by Macleay in 1883, making it one of the earliest described rainbowfishes, and it reaches about 13 centimeters. It wears pastel blue-grey tones with a dark lateral band, and populations vary subtly across its wide range. Breeding is of medium difficulty, the fish laying adhesive eggs on plants and mops over successive days.

Did you know

Named in 1883 for the Goldie River near Port Moresby, it is one of the earliest rainbowfishes known to science, cataloged decades before rainbowfishes became popular aquarium fish.

Tank mates

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