TankBud

Western rainbowfish

Melanotaenia australis

Also known as Melanotaenia splendida australis

FreshwaterFish

Western rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Origin
Australia

Overview

The western rainbowfish is a hardy, active schooling fish for the middle of a community tank. It is a sensible next step once you have kept the easiest fish.

Did you know

The western rainbowfish is one of the most widespread freshwater fish in northwestern Australia. It turns up anywhere from permanent gorge pools to creeks that all but dry up in the dry season.

Caring for the western rainbowfish

Keep western rainbowfish in a group of six or more, with extra males adding to the color and fin displays. Aim for a tank of 30 gal (115 L) or larger. Plant the sides and back with hardy plants, and keep the center open for swimming. A fine substrate with rock and wood suits them.

Western rainbowfish adapt to a range of conditions and take warm, neutral to slightly hard water. Keep the water clean, with gentle flow, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. They reward good feeding with brighter color, so offer varied meals of flake or pellet, frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.

They stay peaceful with other sturdy community fish of similar size. Males are deeper bodied and more colorful than females.

They spawn continuously, laying a few eggs a day onto fine plants and mops over a long season. The fry grow slowly, which makes breeding them hard.

Good to know

Melanotaenia australis belongs to the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae, and it has also been listed as Melanotaenia splendida australis. It is a variable fish, and each isolated river or gorge system tends to hold its own color form.

In the wild

The western rainbowfish lives across northwestern Australia, including the Kimberley and Pilbara. Its home waters include streams, gorges, pools and billabongs, which range from clear to seasonal and turbid.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The western 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 western rainbowfish need?

A western rainbowfish needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a western rainbowfish need?

A western rainbowfish is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a western rainbowfish eat?

A western rainbowfish eats flake or pellet, frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Varied meals like these reward you with brighter color.

How big does a western rainbowfish get?

An adult western rainbowfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does a western rainbowfish need a group?

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

How can you tell a male western rainbowfish from a female?

Males have deeper bodies and more color than females.

How does a western rainbowfish breed?

Western rainbowfish spawn over a long season, laying a few eggs each day onto fine plants and mops. Breeding them is hard, because the fry grow slowly.

Related species