Boesemani Rainbowfish

Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia Boesemani)

The Boesemani Rainbowfish are a stunning species of freshwater fish native to Papua New Guinea. They are known for their vibrant colors, with the front half of their body showcasing a brilliant blue hue while the back half transitions into a striking orange-yellow gradient. Males are more colorful and have a deeper body than females.

Boesemani Rainbowfish are peaceful and active swimmers, reaching around 4-5 inches in length. These fish are best kept in groups of 6 or more to encourage natural schooling behavior. They are compatible with a variety of peaceful and semi-aggressive tank mates, such as other rainbowfish species, tetras, rasboras, barbs, and catfish. Boesemani Rainbowfish are lively swimmers which can stress slow-moving or skittish fish, especially since Rainbowfish are larger than most fish in a community tank setting.

Boesemani Rainbowfish are omnivorous and should be fed a balanced diet consisting of high-quality flakes or floating pellets, supplemented with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.

Rainbowfish are active swimmers and require an aquarium with plenty of room to move about and abundant plant life to give them a sense of security. Their natural habitat features various leggy plants like Dwarf Sagittaria, Vallisneria, and Anubias, which are easy for the fish to navigate through. When arranging the plants, ensure to leave unobstructed open swimming areas. A substrate consisting of rocks or sand with driftwood can help recreate their native environment, but the tank floor is of lesser importance, as they usually swim in the middle levels. The addition of floating plants to diffuse the light entering the tank also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

Maintaining a clean and well-oxygenated tank is crucial for Boesemani Rainbowfish, as their water should be free from nitrates and ammonia. They prefer moderate water currents and appreciate a substantial water flow, making a power filter an excellent choice for their aquarium.

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended, with 50 gallons or larger in community aquariums. The ideal water parameters for these fish include a pH of 7.0-8.0, a hardness of 8-15 dGH, and a temperature range of 75-84°F (24-29°C).

Do not add this fish to a biologically immature aquarium, as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.