TankBud

Wapoga rainbowfish

Melanotaenia rubrivittata

Also known as Red-laced rainbowfish, Red laser rainbow

FreshwaterFish

Wapoga rainbowfish (Melanotaenia rubrivittata)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
2.2 in
5.6 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Wapoga River system, Papua, Indonesia

Overview

The Wapoga rainbowfish is a dwarf rainbowfish that fits tanks the big species would overwhelm. It is a peaceful schooling fish for someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The Wapoga rainbowfish looks much like the well-known dwarf neon rainbowfish, Melanotaenia praecox, but is laced with red instead of neon blue. That is why the trade sells it as the Wapoga red laser rainbowfish.

Caring for the Wapoga rainbowfish

Keep Wapoga rainbowfish in a lively school of ten or more, where the males flash and spar. A group swims happily in 24 gal (90 L) or more. Give them a planted tank with driftwood, fine-leaved plants, some moss and open swimming lanes. Bright light brings out their red.

Keep the water at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. Soft to moderately hard water around neutral suits them. Feed fine foods such as crushed flake and small granules. Frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp also bring out the red.

Wapoga rainbowfish are peaceful and belong with other small, calm community fish. They breed readily among fine-leaved plants and spawning mops, scattering adhesive eggs on them. Breeding them is of medium difficulty overall.

Good to know

Melanotaenia rubrivittata belongs to the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. Unmack, Allen and Hadiaty described it in 2015. Its name means red-striped, for the crimson lacing along its flanks.

In the wild

The Wapoga rainbowfish comes from the Wapoga River system in Papua, Indonesia. It lives in the small forest tributaries of that river in northern Papua.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Wapoga 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 Wapoga rainbowfish need?

A Wapoga rainbowfish needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Wapoga rainbowfish need?

A Wapoga rainbowfish is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a Wapoga rainbowfish eat?

A Wapoga rainbowfish eats fine foods such as crushed flake and small granules. Frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp help bring out its red.

How big does a Wapoga rainbowfish get?

An adult Wapoga rainbowfish reaches about 2.2 in (5.6 cm).

Does a Wapoga rainbowfish need a group?

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

How does a Wapoga rainbowfish breed?

Wapoga rainbowfish breed readily, scattering adhesive eggs on fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Breeding them is of medium difficulty overall.

Related species