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Susi rainbowfish

Melanotaenia susii

Also known as Susi Creek rainbowfish, Susii Creek rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Susi rainbowfish (Melanotaenia susii)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
6.8–8.0
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Overview

The Susi rainbowfish is a big, active rainbowfish for a long tank and a large school. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The Susi rainbowfish and the Klasio Creek rainbowfish live in separate karst creeks only a short distance apart. They are two distinct species, divided by the region's underground limestone plumbing.

Caring for the Susi rainbowfish

Keep Susi rainbowfish in a school of six or more, in a tank of 42 gal (160 L) or larger. They want length above all, and the longer the tank, the better a full-grown school will look. Give them a sandy bottom and open swimming space so the group can really move.

Keep the water neutral to alkaline and moderately hard, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.8 to 8.0. A steady flow suits them. Feed them generously on a varied diet of flake and granules, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Susi rainbowfish are peaceful for their size. They mix well with other large, calm fish such as bigger rainbowfishes, robust barbs and peaceful catfish. Breeding them is of medium difficulty, and they scatter adhesive eggs onto fine plants or spawning mops over several days.

Good to know

Melanotaenia susii belongs to the family Melanotaeniidae and was described in 2015, one of eight new rainbowfishes from the Bird's Head Region. It is one of the largest of those recent discoveries. Some keepers call it the Susi Creek rainbowfish.

In the wild

The Susi rainbowfish comes from Susi Creek, a clear karst stream on the Bird's Head Peninsula of West Papua.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Susi 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 Susi rainbowfish need?

A Susi rainbowfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Susi rainbowfish need?

A Susi rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.8–8.0.

What does a Susi rainbowfish eat?

A Susi rainbowfish eats a varied diet of flake and granules, with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed it generously.

How big does a Susi rainbowfish get?

An adult Susi rainbowfish reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

Does a Susi rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Susi rainbowfish breed?

Susi rainbowfish scatter adhesive eggs onto fine plants or spawning mops over several days. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species