TankBud

Red-striped rainbowfish

Melanotaenia rubrostriata

Also known as Rubro rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Red-striped rainbowfish (Melanotaenia rubrostriata)

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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Southern New Guinea lowlands

Overview

The red-striped rainbowfish is a large, robust schooler for a big community tank. It is easy to keep if you can give it room.

Did you know

The red-striped rainbowfish's name is literal. Its describers in 1886 counted nine broad red bands running the length of the silvery body. Mature males still light those stripes up when they display.

Caring for the red-striped rainbowfish

Keep red-striped rainbowfish in a school of six or more, in a tank of 53 gal (200 L) or larger. They are roaming, active fish, so give them plenty of length to swim. A big planted tank with open midwater, driftwood and gentle flow suits them.

They like warm, moderately hard water at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C). Keep the pH neutral to alkaline, at 6.8 to 8.0. Feed generously and vary the diet, with flake and granules, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, and some green food.

Red-striped rainbowfish are peaceful for their size. Keep them with other sturdy, calm fish such as barbs, larger rainbowfishes and peaceful catfish. The group cruises constantly, and the males stripe up red toward morning.

Breeding them is of medium difficulty. They scatter adhesive eggs onto plants or mops.

Good to know

Melanotaenia rubrostriata belongs to the family Melanotaeniidae. Ramsay and Ogilby described it in 1886 from the Strickland River. It is part of the widespread splendid rainbowfish group, and some keepers call it the rubro rainbowfish.

In the wild

The red-striped rainbowfish ranges widely across the lowland rivers, swamps and shallow lakes of southern New Guinea.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The red-striped 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 red-striped rainbowfish need?

A red-striped rainbowfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a red-striped rainbowfish need?

A red-striped rainbowfish is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.8–8.0.

What does a red-striped rainbowfish eat?

A red-striped rainbowfish eats a varied diet of flake and granules, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus some green food. Feed it generously.

How big does a red-striped rainbowfish get?

An adult red-striped rainbowfish reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a red-striped rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a red-striped rainbowfish breed?

Red-striped rainbowfish scatter adhesive eggs onto plants or mops. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species