From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia praecox
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 6.8 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 110 L
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Melanotaenia praecox |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Origin: | Indonesia (Mamberamo river basin, West Papua) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 8.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains of consequence — the wild fish is the appeal, and a mature male needs no improving. Some suppliers offer selected lines for deeper blue or more intense red finnage, and a "diamond" or "sunset" praecox is occasionally advertised, but nothing is established as a named form. Almost all trade fish are commercially bred, and quality varies. Well-grown captive-bred males are considerably better than typical shop juveniles. The species is endemic to the Mamberamo river system in New Guinea, a river over 2000 km long, and wild collection is not a significant part of the supply. Many other rainbowfish are sold alongside it and are separate species: the Boesemani, turquoise, red, banded and Parkinson's rainbowfish among the larger ones, and the threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri) among the smaller. One caveat applies to mixing them. Melanotaenia species hybridise readily in aquaria, so a mixed rainbowfish tank produces crossed fry — fine if you have no intention of breeding, and worth avoiding if you do. |
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:110 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate (some current)
Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a species of fish in the family Melanotaeniidae. It is native to Indonesia (Mamberamo river basin, West Papua). The neon dwarf rainbowfish is the rainbowfish that fits a normal tank. Most of the family reaches 10 to 15 cm and needs a long aquarium. This one reaches 80 mm standard length, and a mature male is an electric blue fish with blood-red fins — the colour looks lit from inside under good light. It is endemic to the Mamberamo river system in New Guinea, a river running over 2000 km. It is very peaceful, unfussy about food, and easy to keep, which makes it one of the better centrepiece shoalers available for a standard community tank. The two things it needs are numbers and patience. Like every rainbowfish it should be kept in a shoal of at least six to eight and preferably more, and like every rainbowfish the juveniles in a shop are dull compared with what they become.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish
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