Red-striped rainbowfish

Melanotaenia rubrostriata

Also known as Rubro rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–86°F (25–30°C)
pH: 6.8–8.0
Adult size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Southern New Guinea lowlands
Family: Melanotaeniidae

Overview

A large, robust rainbowfish that earns its tank space, kept in a school of six or more where the group cruises constantly and the males stripe up red toward morning. It is peaceful for its size and belongs with other sturdy, calm fish such as barbs, larger rainbowfishes, and peaceful catfish. Feed generously and vary the diet with flake and granules, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp, and some green food. Give a group at least 200 liters with plenty of length to swim.

In the wild

The red-striped rainbowfish ranges widely across the lowland rivers, swamps, and shallow lakes of southern New Guinea. Keep it warm and roomy, 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, in neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water at a pH of 6.8 to 8.0. A big planted tank with open midwater, driftwood, and gentle flow suits its roaming, active habits.

Good to know

Melanotaenia rubrostriata, family Melanotaeniidae, was described by Ramsay and Ogilby in 1886 from the Strickland River, and it reaches about 13 centimeters. The name means red-striped, for the red longitudinal bands that run along the silvery flanks of mature males. It is part of the widespread splendid rainbowfish group, and breeding is of medium difficulty, with adhesive eggs scattered onto plants or mops.

Did you know

The name red-striped is literal: the describers in 1886 counted nine broad red bands running the length of the silvery body, and mature males still light those stripes up when they display.

Tank mates

Red-striped rainbowfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.