Page 178 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

176 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

RAINBOWFISH

The brilliantly colored
rainbowfish have grown rapidly
in popularity in recent years as they
have become more readily available.
A significant number of new species have been
discovered and introduced to the aquarium hobby
since the 1980s, and there are almost certainly
others awaiting discovery, especially in New
Guinea. Local populations within a species may look
very different, and it is important to maintain their
individual features. Unfortunately, some
rainbowfish breeders are now hybridizing their Threadfin Rainbowfish
(Iriatherina werneri)
stock in an attempt to create even more colorful vary slightly across their
range, with those from
offspring. There is some evidence that these fish New Guinea being
darker than their
may themselves occasionally hybridize in the wild. Australian relatives.

Iriatherina werneri Bedotia madagascariensis Glossolepis incisus
Threadfin Rainbowfish Bowfish Salmon-Red Rainbowfish

ORIGINS New Guinea, between the Fly and Merauke ORIGINS East Africa, where it is found only in upland ORIGINS New Guinea, where it is restricted to Lake
rivers; also occurs in northern Australia. areas on the island of Madagascar. Sentani in Irian Jaya.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. DIET Small live foods preferred.
WATER Temperature 72–84°F (22–29°C); soft WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); hard WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); hard
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5). (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
Long filaments on The male bowfish is multicolored, with shades of Silvery overlay
male’s second dorsal fin Yellow fins blue apparent on the flanks; the female is yellow on some scales
suggest
northern and has a rounded, rather than jagged, dorsal fin.
Queensland Bowfish thrive in groups and will not eat their
ancestry eggs (which become tangled among vegetation)
or their fry. Young bowfish are unusual in that they
swim immediately after hatching, initially in a
somewhat vertical stance, although they soon
adopt a more horizontal posture.
Mature males display with their elaborate fins Sexing is straightforward because the male is
during the courtship ritual, holding them erect salmon-pink while the female is yellowish and
and then flicking them up and down. An aquarium olive-green. Juveniles tend to resemble adult
planted with fine-leaved vegetation is essential for females in appearance, but the young males change
spawning; females lay over the course of several color once they are about 2 in (5 cm) in length.
days. The eggs can take a week or longer to hatch, In the wild, Salmon-Red Rainbowfish feed on small
and the fry can be reared on tiny rotifers. Adult invertebrates and associate in areas of aquatic
fish prefer to eat small live foods, but will take vegetation. Females lay batches of between 100
flake powdered onto the water’s surface. and 150 eggs, which usually hatch within 10 days.

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