From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Banded Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia trifasciata
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
- pH
- 6.5 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 108 L
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Melanotaenia trifasciata |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Origin: | Australia (northern rivers and creeks) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 15.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | The varieties are the species, and they are geographic rather than cultivated. Populations across northern Australia are traded under their river or catchment names — Goyder River, Blyth River, Roper River, McKinlay River and many others — and they differ dramatically in ground colour, in the intensity of the black midline stripe and in fin colour. Different morphs hybridise freely and should not be mixed. Serious keepers maintain single-locality groups, and multiple species may be present within what is currently called M. trifasciata. Wild-type stock from documented localities is available through specialist breeders and rainbowfish societies, and is worth seeking out; general farmed stock is often of mixed origin and correspondingly muddy in colour. Related Australian and New Guinea rainbowfish in the trade include the boesemani, parkinson's, lacustris, praecox and Australian rainbowfish, all with similar requirements. For a smaller tank the dwarf neon rainbowfish at 6 cm is the practical alternative. |
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:108 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; planted with open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate to high (some current; well-oxygenated)
Banded Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata) is a species of fish in the family Melanotaeniidae. It is native to Australia (northern rivers and creeks). The banded rainbowfish is the most variable fish in this guide, and that variation is the whole story. It occurs across northern Australia in isolated river systems, and each population looks different — some with a bold black midline stripe on a blue body, others gold, others heavily red-finned. Aquarists trade them under their river names, and the differences are dramatic enough that two fish from adjacent catchments look like separate species. It reaches 150 mm standard length and is properly big for a rainbowfish, needing a 120 × 30 cm base at around 108 litres as a minimum and considerably more in practice. Two things catch people out. Juveniles are drab, and full adult colour takes twelve months or more to develop. And the different geographic morphs hybridise freely, so they should never be mixed.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Banded Rainbowfish
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