Turquoise rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris · Melanotaeniidae
Also known as Lake Kutubu rainbowfish
Intermediate
An intensely blue rainbowfish for hard water and a long tank with open swimming lanes.
In short: A turquoise rainbowfish needs at least 190 L (50 US gal), water at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) and pH 7–8.5. It is peaceful, best kept in groups of 6 or more, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 190 L (50 US gal)
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Adult size
- 11 cm (4.3 in)
- Group size
- 6+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 190 L (50 US gal)
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Hardness
- 8–25 dGH
- Lifespan
- 4–8 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — flake, pellets, frozen foods, veg.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Clear hard-water lake margins
- Natural conditions
- Hard alkaline water, strong flow, long open tank.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 6 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- Other rainbowfishBristlenose plecoLarger tetras
- Avoid
- Soft acidic tanksSlow long-finned fish
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Males are deeper-bodied and more intensely blue.
- Notes
- Continuous egg scatterer into mops.
- Common ailments
- IchVelvet
Will it fit your tank?
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