Page 179 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

RAINBOWFISH 177

Chilatherina bleheri Pseudomugil signifer Pseudomugil furcatus
Bleher’s Rainbowfish Australian Blue-Eye Forktailed Blue Eye

ORIGINS New Guinea, occurring in Lake Holmes and ORIGINS Australia, from northern Queensland ORIGINS Eastern New Guinea, occurring between
associated streams, and in Mamberamo, Irian Jaya. southward to Narooma in New South Wales. Collingwood and Dyke Ackland Bays.
SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm).
1
3
1
DIET Prefers small live foods. DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. DIET Small live foods preferred.
WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); hard WATER Temperature 59–82°F (15–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft to hard
(150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 5.5–7.8). (50–150 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0– 8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Territorial when spawning. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
A deep-bodied appearance is a characteristic Greenish upperparts typify The male Forktail, shown below, is more brightly
feature of Bleher’s Rainbowfish, with males southern populations colored than the female, has a larger dorsal fin,
attaining a larger size than females and being more and often shows red on its pelvic and pectoral fins.
vibrantly colored. The front of the Forktails occur in clear, fast-flowing streams
body is an iridescent silvery-green, becoming where there is a good covering of aquatic plants,
yellowish and then purplish-red toward the tail. It so their tank should be well planted but include
is possible to tell when males are in spawning clear areas for swimming. Spawning may occur on
condition because they display a yellow-orange Characteristic the substrate or among plants. The eggs develop
stripe on the forehead. The species is named after blue iris slowly and can take up to two weeks to hatch.
Heiko Bleher, a well-known German aquarist. Raised pectoral fins
These rainbowfish vary significantly in appearance
throughout their range. Northern specimens have
very long filaments on their dorsal and anal fins
and are larger than their southerly counterparts.
The males’ coloration changes with age and
becomes more vibrant when they are in spawning
condition. Females are less colorful than males.
Australian Blue-Eyes are found in fresh and
brackish waters, and even in the sea in some areas.

Marosatherina ladigesi
SPLIT-FIN DESIGN
Celebes Rainbowfish Male Celebes Rainbowfish are more colorful than
females and have longer fin rays. These fish are One of the most distinctive characteristics
ORIGINS Indonesia, where it occurs on the island of sensitive to water quality, so it is vital to check the of this group of fish is the structure of the
Sulawesi (formerly known as Celebes). parameters to which they are acclimatized. Change dorsal fin, which is divided into two parts,
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). conditions slowly, by making a partial water with an obvious gap between. This
DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. change of 25 percent of the tank’s volume each arrangement enables each part of the
WATER Temperature 68–82°F (20–28°C); hard week. Under favorable conditions, adults may dorsal fin to be raised or lowered largely
(150–200 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5). spawn almost nonstop for months, although they independently of the other. It is usually the
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. often eat their eggs. Hatching takes up to 11 days. front part of the fin that is kept lowered,
probably so that it does not interfere with
the swimming ability of the rainbowfish. This
suggests that the function of the split fin is
primarily for display. The shape of the fin can
also be useful in distinguishing between the
sexes. The rear part of the second dorsal
generally tapers to a point in the males,
although this characteristic is less evident in
the rainbowfish of Lake Tebera, New Guinea.

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