Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia lacustris

Average Adult Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Place of Origin: Australia, New Guinea

Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity:  50 gallon 

Compatibility: This peaceful fish is a schooling fish that should be housed in a planted aquarium with plenty of swimming room. A gravel substrate will add to a good environment and, if dark enough, may intensify the colors of the fish.

Temperature:  70-77° F 

Water chemistry: .pH 7.0-7.5  10 - 12 dKH

Feeding:  Their omnivorous diet should include prepared flake, frozen, and live foods.

Sexing: Males are brighter than females but only slightly most of the time. When in breeding mode the alpha male will brighten up to an shocking electric blue and the forehead turns yellow. This yellow is flashed on and off to attract the females.

Breeding: Rainbow’s deposits its eggs in vegetation or other suitable substrate with Java moss. It’s best spawned in a pair or group comprising a single male and two or three females in a tank measuring 50-60 cm long.

Females are capable of covering some large, vigorous eggs per day and the adults can either be added to the spawning tank and left in place for a week or so, until the first fry are noticed, or the substrate can be checked each day and eggs removed manually. Males can be aggressive in their pursuit of females keep a look out when on the fish while they’re housed in these confined surroundings, and try to provide some solid cover using large-leaved plants or wood.