Page 180 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

178 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Melanotaenia boesemani
Boeseman’s Rainbowfish

ORIGINS New Guinea, occurring in the Ajamaru Lakes
area of the Vogelkop Peninsula.
SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm).
3
DIET Eats prepared diets and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–8.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
In terms of its coloration, Boeseman’s
Rainbowfish is a fish of two halves. The
head and front of the body are bluish, while
the rear half is yellowish-orange, sometimes
bordering on red. Males are brighter in color,
display more elongated rays on their dorsal fins,
and have a deeper body. Their aquarium needs to
incorporate open areas for swimming as well as
vegetation such as Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana),
which can serve as a spawning site. Females
typically lay between 100 and 200 eggs, with
hatching occurring approximately a week later.
Originally collected by Dr. Marinus Boeseman
on a Dutch expedition in 1954, this
species was then rediscovered in 1982.
Some live specimens were sent to
Europe by Heiko Bleher, where they
bred successfully, thus providing the
foundation for today’s aquarium strains.

Melanotaenia maccullochi Melanotaenia parkinsoni Melanotaenia lacustris
Dwarf Rainbowfish Parkinsoni Rainbowfish Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish

ORIGINS Australia, in parts of Queensland and also in ORIGINS Eastern New Guinea, between Milne Bay and ORIGINS Central New Guinea, in Lake Kutubu and the
the Northern Territory. the Kemp Welsh River. Soro River, which flows out from the lake.
SIZE 2 ⁄4 in (7 cm). SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (14 cm). SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm).
3
3
1
DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–86°F (22–30°C); soft WATER Temperature 77–84°F (25–29°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); hard
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 5.5–7.5). (100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.6). (100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 8.0–9.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
Second Striped The attractive appearance of this rainbowfish is Larger second Juvenile
dorsal fin patterning best appreciated under subdued lighting, which dorsal fin
emphasizes the yellow, golden, and blue areas on
the body and fins. Individuals display some
variation in coloration—some are more orange
than yellow. Females resemble males but are
generally duller in color. Some males have
enlarged anal and dorsal fins, and the fins in some Bluish stripe Body is deeper in
mature males
Dark horizontal stripes along the sides of the individuals have a slightly ragged appearance.
body characterize this rainbowfish; the stripes The blue coloration of these rainbowfish varies
become more wavy and broken on the lower according to water conditions and diet. An orange
parts. Females are less colorful but grow larger area on the nape of the neck indicates that they
than males. There are color differences between are in spawning condition. Spawning itself can be
isolated populations; the orange fin markings that a protracted affair, with the females laying eggs
typify fish around Cairns are absent in those from in batches over the course of several days. In the
the Jardine River region. Dwarf Rainbowfish wild, these fish are found in parts of Lake Kutubu
occurring near the Litchfield National Park in the where there is floating vegetation near the surface.
Northern Territory have more yellowish bodies In aquariums, they should be kept in single-species
and are decidedly smaller in size. groups to avoid hybridization with other fish.

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