Ornate rainbowfish
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
Also known as Soft-spined rainbowfish, Ornate rainbow
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Native to coastal southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia, in tannin-stained wallum streams, tranquil pools and creeks over sandy substrate.
- Family
- Melanotaeniidae
Overview
Keep a group of at least six in a tank of 75 litres or more at 18 to 28 C with a soft, acidic pH of 5.5 to 7.0. It benefits from a slight seasonal temperature drop in winter to mimic its home range. It is peaceful but small, so pair it with other calm, similarly sized fish rather than boisterous tankmates. Feed small flake, micro pellets and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp.
In the wild
Ornate rainbowfish come from soft, acidic, often tea colored wallum waters that run over sand and past dense marginal plants. Isolated populations have produced a range of color forms, from blue and green to red flushed fish. A planted tank of 75 litres or more with driftwood, botanicals for tannins, fine leaved plants and gentle flow suits them. Soft, acidic water below pH 6.5 keeps them healthiest and most colorful.
Good to know
Rhadinocentrus ornatus is the only species in its genus and a member of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. Its common name soft-spined rainbowfish refers to the flexible fin spines that separate it from related genera. Because many wild populations are isolated in separate creek systems, keepers often track and keep specific regional color forms pure.
Did you know
Different wallum creeks hold their own distinct color strains, so hobbyists label their fish by location and keep the forms separate to preserve the natural variety.
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 · Coldwater fish
Keeping Ornate rainbowfish?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Parkinson's rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parkinsoni4.3 in (11 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Dwarf rainbowfish
Melanotaenia maccullochi2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Sepik rainbowfish
Glossolepis multisquamata5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (208 L)79–86°F (26–30°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)
Lake Tebera rainbowfish
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi3.5 in (9 cm)25 gal (95 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)