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Highlands rainbowfish

Chilatherina campsi

Also known as Camp's rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Highlands rainbowfish (Chilatherina campsi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–81°F
21–27°C
pH
6.8–8.0
Adult size
3.4 in
8.6 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Highland tributaries of the Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Purari systems, Papua New Guinea

Overview

The Highlands rainbowfish is a peaceful, cooler-water schooler for the middle of a tank with some current. It asks a little more than a beginner's fish.

Did you know

The Highlands rainbowfish lives in cool mountain streams up to about 1,500 meters above sea level, while most rainbowfishes are lowland heat-lovers. It prefers water that would leave its lowland cousins sluggish.

Caring for the Highlands rainbowfish

Highlands rainbowfish suit an unheated or lightly heated tank, kept a touch cooler than most rainbowfishes. Keep a school of six or more in 29 gal (110 L) or more, with room to swim and some flow. The males chase and display in the current all morning.

Hold the temperature at 70 to 81°F (21 to 27°C). The water should be neutral to alkaline, at a pH of 6.8 to 8.0, with steady flow and good oxygenation. Feed flake and granules, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp, and a little vegetable food to keep them in condition.

Highlands rainbowfish are peaceful. They pair well with other calm fish that share their preference for brisk, well-oxygenated water. Breeding them is of medium difficulty, and they scatter their eggs onto plants or mops in the usual rainbowfish way.

Good to know

Chilatherina campsi, family Melanotaeniidae, was first described by Whitley in 1956 and later placed in the genus Chilatherina. Wild populations differ noticeably in color between drainages. It is also known as Camp's rainbowfish.

In the wild

The Highlands rainbowfish lives in cooler upland tributaries of several great river systems in Papua New Guinea. These include the Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Purari.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Highlands 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 Highlands rainbowfish need?

A Highlands rainbowfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Highlands rainbowfish need?

A Highlands rainbowfish is comfortable at 70–81°F (21–27°C) with a pH of 6.8–8.0.

What does a Highlands rainbowfish eat?

A Highlands rainbowfish eats flake and granules, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp, and a little vegetable food. That standard rainbowfish feeding keeps it in condition.

How big does a Highlands rainbowfish get?

An adult Highlands rainbowfish reaches about 3.4 in (8.6 cm).

Does a Highlands rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Highlands rainbowfish breed?

Highlands rainbowfish scatter their eggs onto plants or mops, the usual rainbowfish way. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species