Lake Tebera rainbowfish
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (9 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 25 gal (95 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- New Guinea
- Family
- Melanotaeniidae
Overview
Lake Tebera rainbowfish are peaceful, medium-small rainbows that do best in a group of six or more, where males take on the yellow body and dark midline stripe that set the species apart. They keep to the middle of the tank and get along with other calm community fish. Color and confidence build with a settled group and good feeding, so offer varied meals of flake or small pellet, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Plant the sides and back and leave open swimming space. Aim for a tank around 95 liters or larger.
In the wild
This rainbowfish is native to Lake Tebera in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, a warm, clear lake with neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water. Those conditions match a pH of about 7 to 8 and a temperature between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius. Recreate the habitat with a fine substrate, wood and rock, plenty of hardy plants around the margins, and clean, gently flowing water.
Good to know
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi is a member of Melanotaeniidae and reaches about 9 centimeters. Males carry a golden-yellow body crossed by a dark lengthwise stripe, while females are plainer and slimmer. Like its relatives it is a continuous egg-scatterer, dropping a few eggs a day onto fine plants and spawning mops over a long spell, then leaving them. The slow-growing fry make breeding hard for most keepers.
Did you know
The species is named after Herbert R. Axelrod, the American publisher whose books and magazines helped popularize the aquarium hobby. Like several highland rainbowfish, it is known from only one lake.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Rainbowfish · Schooling fish · Community fish
Keeping Lake Tebera rainbowfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Black-banded rainbowfish
Melanotaenia nigrans3.9 in (10 cm)32 gal (120 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parva3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Neon rainbowfish
Melanotaenia praecox3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Australian rainbowfish
Melanotaenia fluviatilis4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (115 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Lake Kutubu rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris4.3 in (11 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Dwarf rainbowfish
Melanotaenia maccullochi2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)