TankBud

Ogilby's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia ogilbyi

Also known as Ogilby rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Ogilby's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia ogilbyi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Lorentz River region, southern Papua, Indonesia

Overview

Ogilby's rainbowfish is a modest-sized, peaceful schooler for the midwater of a planted tank. It is only occasionally available, and it is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

For most of a century, Ogilby's rainbowfish was known to science from just seven specimens collected in 1907. It went unrecorded until 1995, when new collections brought it back into view and into the aquarium hobby.

Caring for the Ogilby's rainbowfish

Ogilby's rainbowfish do best in a school of six or more, in a tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger. A planted tank with gentle flow, some leaf litter or wood and quiet open water reflects their sluggish backwater home.

Keep the water soft to moderately hard, around neutral. Aim for 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. Feed a varied diet of flake and small granules, with frozen and live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.

Ogilby's rainbowfish are gentle and suit a calm community of similar-sized fish. A settled group swims steadily through the midwater, and the males take on a bronze glow. Breeding them is of medium difficulty. They scatter adhesive eggs onto plants or mops, leaving you small fry to raise.

Good to know

Melanotaenia ogilbyi is a member of the family Melanotaeniidae. Weber described it in 1910 from specimens taken on the Lorentz River, and it remains a poorly known species.

In the wild

Ogilby's rainbowfish comes from the lowland Lorentz River in southern Papua. It has been found there in swampy, slow-moving water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Ogilby's 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 an Ogilby's rainbowfish need?

An Ogilby's rainbowfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Ogilby's rainbowfish need?

An Ogilby's rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does an Ogilby's rainbowfish eat?

An Ogilby's rainbowfish eats a varied diet of flake and small granules. Add frozen and live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.

How big does an Ogilby's rainbowfish get?

An adult Ogilby's rainbowfish reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

Does an Ogilby's rainbowfish need a group?

Yes. An Ogilby's rainbowfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Ogilby's rainbowfish from a female?

Males take on a bronze glow once the group is settled.

How does an Ogilby's rainbowfish breed?

Ogilby's rainbowfish scatter adhesive eggs onto plants or mops, and the small fry need raising. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species