Red rainbowfish

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep them in a group of at least six so males display to each other and color up properly. A lone male often stays dull. They are peaceful, active mid-water swimmers that need horizontal space more than height. Pair them with other sturdy, similarly sized community fish. Feed a varied diet of quality flake or small pellets with frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms to bring out the red.

In the wild

Red rainbowfish come from Lake Sentani and nearby waters in New Guinea, a warm freshwater lake with plants along the margins and open water out from shore. The water there is neutral to alkaline and clear. In the tank, aim for a pH from 7 to 8.5, temps in the low to mid 20s C, and a long open swimming lane with planting toward the back and sides. A 130 liter tank or larger gives them the length they want.

Good to know

This is a rainbowfish in the family Melanotaeniidae, reaching about 14 cm, which makes it one of the larger rainbows in the hobby. Mature males turn deep brick-red and develop a high-backed body shape, while females stay silvery and slimmer. They are egg scatterers that lay sticky eggs among fine plants over a long spawning period. The species has a limited natural range in the Sentani system.

Did you know

Young males look plain and silvery and only develop their red as they mature, which catches buyers off guard at the shop. The deepest color tends to show during morning sparring, when rival males face off and briefly turn an almost glowing red before settling back down.

Related species

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  Lake Wanam rainbowfish

  Glossolepis wanamensis

  3.9 in (10 cm)25 gal (95 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

• 

  Sepik rainbowfish

  Glossolepis multisquamata

  5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (208 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Banded rainbowfish

  Melanotaenia trifasciata

  5.9 in (15 cm)50 gal (190 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  Eastern rainbowfish

  Melanotaenia splendida splendida

  5.9 in (15 cm)50 gal (190 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)

• 

  Barred rainbowfish

  Chilatherina fasciata

  4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)

• 

  Bleher's rainbowfish

  Chilatherina bleheri

  4.7 in (12 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)