Eastern Rainbowfish

Eastern Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida splendida)

Eastern Rainbowfish, also known as Splendid Rainbowfish, are visually captivating freshwater fish that boasts a slender, elongated body adorned with vibrant colors. Males exhibit a stunning mix of blues, greens, and oranges, while females are typically more subdued, showcasing silver or pale yellow hues.

They are peaceful and active swimmers, reaching 4 to 6 inches in length. It's recommended to keep them in schools of at least 6 to encourage natural behaviors and create an eye-catching display. Eastern Rainbowfish are compatible with other peaceful, similarly-sized fish. They are not fin nippers, making them a great addition to a community aquarium.

Eastern Rainbowfish are omnivorous, consuming insects, small crustaceans, and algae in the wild. In captivity, they thrive on a balanced diet of high-quality flake food, live, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.

To simulate the Eastern Rainbowfish natural environment, provide a densely planted aquarium with ample hiding spots and open swimming areas. 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. 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 Eastern 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 20 gallons is recommended, with 30 gallons or larger in community aquariums. The ideal water parameters for these fish include a pH of 7.0-8.0, a hardness of 5-15 dGH, and a temperature range of 72-79°F (22-26°C).

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