TankBud

Millennium rainbowfish

Glossolepis pseudoincisa

Also known as Tami River rainbowfish, Glossolepis pseudoincisus

FreshwaterFish

Millennium rainbowfish (Glossolepis pseudoincisa)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
3.6 in
9.2 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Tami River system, Papua, Indonesia

Overview

The millennium rainbowfish is one of the more forgiving of the rarer rainbowfishes, a midwater schooler for a roomy community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Displaying male millennium rainbowfish can turn an even deeper, brighter red than the famous red rainbowfish.

Caring for the millennium rainbowfish

Keep millennium rainbowfish in a group of six or more, in a tank of 42 gal (160 L) or larger. A planted tank with driftwood suits them, with a balance of cover and open room to cruise.

Give them hard, alkaline water at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.2. Feed a varied diet of flake and granules, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp to fuel the color.

Millennium rainbowfish are hardy and peaceful, and they color up fast once settled. They suit a robust community of similarly sized peaceful fish. Include both males and females, and mature males will flush an intense blood-red as they display through the morning.

Breeding them is of medium difficulty. They lay adhesive eggs on plants or mops over successive days.

Good to know

Glossolepis pseudoincisa is a member of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. Its name means false incisus, because the fish so closely resembles the popular red rainbowfish, Glossolepis incisus, that the two are easily confused. It is also called the Tami River rainbowfish, and the name is sometimes spelled pseudoincisus.

In the wild

The millennium rainbowfish comes from the Tami River area, near the border of Papua and Papua New Guinea. It was found in a still oxbow lake off the main river.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The millennium 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 millennium rainbowfish need?

A millennium rainbowfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a millennium rainbowfish need?

A millennium rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

What does a millennium rainbowfish eat?

A millennium rainbowfish eats a varied diet of flake and granules. Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp help fuel its color.

How big does a millennium rainbowfish get?

An adult millennium rainbowfish reaches about 3.6 in (9.2 cm).

Does a millennium rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a millennium rainbowfish breed?

Millennium rainbowfish lay adhesive eggs on plants or mops over successive days. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species