TankBud

Sahul rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sahulensis

Also known as Sahul dwarf rainbowfish, Skull Creek rainbowfish

FreshwaterFish

Sahul rainbowfish (Melanotaenia sahulensis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–86°F
24–30°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
2.2 in
5.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Southern New Guinea and northern Australia lowlands

Overview

The Sahul rainbowfish is a dwarf rainbowfish for a small planted community tank. It is a good choice for a keeper ready to move past beginner fish.

Did you know

The Sahul rainbowfish's range spans two countries because the species is older than the sea between them. It was once continuous across Sahul, the Ice Age landmass that joined Australia and New Guinea. Rising seas then flooded the Torres Strait.

Caring for the Sahul rainbowfish

Keep Sahul rainbowfish in a group of a dozen, in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger. A group that size makes the shoal look its best and gives the males rivals to display to. Plant the tank densely, add a soft bottom with leaf litter or wood, and leave open patches of quiet water.

They do well in soft to moderately hard water around neutral. Hold it at 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. Offer fine foods such as crushed flake and small granules, with frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

Sahul rainbowfish are peaceful and suit other small, gentle tank mates rather than large or pushy fish. Breeding them is of medium difficulty. They scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or mops every day.

Good to know

Melanotaenia sahulensis, named for the ancient landmass of Sahul, belongs to the family Melanotaeniidae. It was described in 2019 among the dwarf rainbowfishes split from the Macculloch's rainbowfish complex. It is also called the Skull Creek rainbowfish.

In the wild

The Sahul rainbowfish lives in shallow, swampy lowland waters on both sides of the Torres Strait. It is found from the northern tip of Cape York in Australia into southern New Guinea.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Sahul 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 Sahul rainbowfish need?

A Sahul rainbowfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Sahul rainbowfish need?

A Sahul rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a Sahul rainbowfish eat?

A Sahul rainbowfish eats fine foods such as crushed flake and small granules. It also eats frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

How big does a Sahul rainbowfish get?

An adult Sahul rainbowfish reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).

Does a Sahul rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Sahul rainbowfish breed?

Sahul rainbowfish scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or mops every day. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species