Page 181 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

RAINBOWFISH/MELANOTAENIA SPECIES 179

Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi Melanotaenia affinis Melanotaenia splendida
Lake Tebera Rainbowfish New Guinea Rainbowfish Splendid Rainbowfish

ORIGINS Central highlands of New Guinea near Lake ORIGINS Northern New Guinea, including the Sepik ORIGINS Northern Australia, Aru Island, and between
Tebera, part of the Purari River system. River (Pagwi), and Madang (Blue Water Creek morph). Etus Bay and the Aramia River in southern New Guinea.
SIZE 5 in (13 cm). SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (14 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
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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 75–81°F (24–27°C); hard WATER Temperature 70–82°F (21–28°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft
(100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 5.6–7.4).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
The yellowish body of these fish has a dark central There are between four and six subspecies of this
band along the midline. The middle section of the rainbowfish, all of which show reddish-brown
first part of the dorsal fin is longer in male Lake speckling on the body. Males are generally more
Teberas. The males’ appearance alters at the start brightly colored and have deeper bodies than
of the spawning period, when they develop a blue the females. The young of both sexes are duller
or white stripe that runs from the dorsal fin and than the adults, taking up to a year to acquire
down over the head. This stripe gradually becomes their full coloration. It is vital to keep the
much darker in color. Lake Teberas live in shallow, nitrate level in the tank low, so make sure the
vegetated areas, so they will benefit from having a filtration system is efficient and carry out partial
well-planted area in their tank. Females lay up to Three separate varieties of this species are known, water changes every week or so.
150 eggs, which hatch about 10 days later. with the so-called Standard having the widest
range. In all cases, males are more colorful, with High back
elaborate dorsal and anal fins, and grow slightly
larger than females. New Guinea Rainbowfish
have proved to be very adaptable, reflecting
the fact that in the wild their environment can
change markedly though the year. Like related
species, they should be kept in shoals. Females
Slender body is
deeper in males lay up to 200 eggs when spawning.
Melanotaenia praecox
DIVERSIFICATION
Peacock Rainbowfish Well-oxygenated water is also important, since
Peacock Rainbowfish naturally inhabit fast-flowing Rainbowfish form an extremely adaptable
ORIGINS New Guinea, occurring in small areas of the waters. It has been suggested that only males group. This is illustrated not only by
Mamberamo River system, near Iritoi, Dabra, and Siewa. display red edges to their fins, although this differences in appearance between individuals
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). characteristic can in fact be seen in both sexes. of the same species but also by the way in
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DIET Eats both prepared diets and small live foods. Yellow-fin edges are more common in aquarium which these fish have colonized localized
WATER Temperature 75–81°F (24–27°C); soft strains. One recently discovered wild population habitats, such as Lake Tebera in New Guinea,
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5). has red stripes on the body. Females spawn over which is now home to unique species of
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. several days, producing up to 50 eggs per day; the rainbowfish. Their adaptability is further
eggs stick to vegetation. Hatching takes about a confirmed by the Mountain Rainbowfish
The brilliant neon blue of these rainbowfish is week, and the fry can be reared on brine shrimp. (Melanotaenia monticola) shown here.
displayed to best effect when they are kept in Feeding the adults well makes them less likely to Occurring at high altitude in New Guinea, it
aquariums with floating plants to diffuse the light. eat their eggs or offspring. has adapted to life in water that is typically
just 61–64°F (16–18°C)—far colder than
the lowest temperatures tolerated by other
New Guinea rainbowfish.

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