The rainbow fish It is one of the most beautiful species of freshwater fish in the world. It has numerous colors in its skin (hence its name) and can capture anyone's attention. Its scientific name is Melanotaenia boesemani and it is ideal for aquariums, as it will give a great ornamental contribution. His success in aquariophilia has been huge and has become one of the most popular fish in aquarium stores.
In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the characteristics of this fish, its lifestyle, and the care it requires in captivity. Want to learn all about the rainbow fish? Read
Key features
As we can see on this website, all fish differ from one another in a special quality. The appearance of this fish is flattened and oval-shapedIt is compressed laterally. It has a fairly structured physiognomy, since there is no great differentiation between the dorsal and ventral areas. As time passes, the back develops a small bulge that allows us to estimate the age of the fish. The appearance of this type of bulge is linked to older fish.
Features two dorsal fins and one analThe anal fin is the continuation of its body. It extends from the middle and has a very important function. Thanks to it, the fish can acquire the ability to propel itself at great speeds to swim. Its dorsal fins steer its movement. The rainbow fish is not very large, but it still moves. very quickly.
As for the mouth, it has a very peculiar feature: it is too narrow and slightly upwards. Despite this, they have a voracious appetite. They have an upward inclination, which is related to their feeding behavior. Rainbow fish are capable of devouring food that is on the surface or suspended in the water column. Because of the inclination of their mouth, it is difficult for them to eat food that is on the substrate; however, bottom-cleaning fish Yes, they do take advantage of that type of food.
Rainbowfish are a small species. The size of the rainbowfish It ranges between 6 and 12 centimeters approximately. This characteristic makes it one of the favorite fish for ornamental breeding, since they do not acquire large volumes and can be kept in medium aquariums.
Within the family Melanotaeniidae, the term “rainbowfish” covers numerous species. The genus Melanotaenia It is especially diverse and its name comes from ancient Greek: melano = black y taenia = bands, referring to the dark lateral bands that some species have. Although here we focus on Melanotaenia boesemani, it is useful to know that males are generally bigger and more colorful than females and that the intensity of the color varies with mood, social hierarchy and water quality.
In addition to color dimorphism, males often display a higher back and, during courtship, may exhibit a shiny headband that appears and disappears quickly. With good feeding and stable parameters, these fish show their best coloration and can reach a longevity of 5 to 8 years in aquarium.
Range and habitat
These fish have a fairly limited area of distribution, since the places where they live are scarce. They are usually found in the easternmost part of Southeast Asia in three locations: Indonesia, Australia and New GuineaThe lakes where they can be found are the Ajamaru, Aintijo and Hain.
Regarding their habitat, they usually live in freshwater aquatic environments. Despite this, not all rivers are good habitats for these fish. They only live in certain rivers with specific characteristics. For example, one of the main needs for the river to be suitable is the pH. So they can house the rainbow fish, The water should remain within a pH range preferably between 6,5 and 7,5 (slightly acidic to neutral, even somewhat alkaline in some populations).
Temperature is also a limitation. In their natural environment and in an aquarium, a tropical range of 22-27 ºC It is the most suitable, with water very clean and crystallineThe clearer and cleaner the fish, the more favorable its development will be. This freshwater fish doesn't usually swim in depths, since, as we mentioned before, it's unable to feed on food from the substrate due to the inclination of its mouth and because, by nature, occupies middle and superficial layers from the water forming schools.
Another requirement that the habitat needs is that it has abundant aquatic plants and that water temperature remains between 22 and 26 degrees. Occasionally, they can be kept at 28°C for a while, although their development is not ideal if kept for long periods. In aquariums, it is also advisable to maintain a general hardness level. GH media (around 8–10 ºd) and levels of ammonium and nitrites at 0, with nitrates below 20 mg/l.
Many rainbow fish inhabit rivers, streams and lakes with gentle current, riparian vegetation and shaded areas. In nature, they congregate in large schools of fish near the surface, which helps them protect themselves from predators and optimize their search for food.
Rainbow fish diet
As can be deduced, the diet is omnivorous. It can eat both small animals and aquatic plants. It doesn't pose any problems when it comes to selecting foods for its daily diet. It needs adequate nutrition. balanced and variedIf this is the case, the shine of its scales will be much stronger and the colors more striking.
For aquarium feeding, you must carefully select the foods you are going to give. They should be varied and it doesn't matter if they are frozen or products industrializedBoth products provide and satisfy the needs of rainbow fish well. You can even mix the food in flake or pellet form if you wish. You can also give them fish meat o small shrimp.
How often It should be fed several times a day. The most advisable thing is three times. It is essential that the food can stay suspended in water, since they cannot eat food from the substrate due to the angle of their mouths. Therefore, any food that falls to the bottom will be useless and will only dirty the aquarium. To avoid these mishaps, they are provided with small amounts of food and thus prevents it from sinking to the bottom.
The feeding issue can be a problem if we mix it with other fish. Although they are quite sociable fish, they are seen intimidated by agility from other fish at feeding time. They may stay buried in the aquarium and not come to the surface. A useful strategy is spread the food over the entire surface so that all the specimens in the school have access. It is also advisable to include vegetable food (e.g. flakes with spirulina) and offer punctually mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Many caregivers practice a weekly fasting day to aid digestion and prevent overweight. In breeding, fry accept very well infusoria the first few days and, shortly after, newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii.
Necessary care
For the rainbow fish to feel at home, the aquarium must have enough space for them to swim, you can check how prepare the aquarium. About 200 liters are fine.The aquarium should be at least one meter long. The water must be oxygenated with a good filter. The filter needs provide movement to the water 3 or 4 times per hourIt is advisable to use a darker substrate to further highlight the color of the fish.
the brood de peces rainbow should be thought of couples or small groups for the possibility of future reproduction. If you have several rainbowfish, it's important to provide space for those fish that have formed bonds. Placing them in their own or more private area makes it easier for new offspring to reproduce.
In addition, it is recommended to maintain a minimum group of 6-8 specimens to express their natural shoaling behavior. The decoration with thin-leaved plants, clear swimming areas and some roots or rocks will help them feel safe. moderate lighting and the aquarium lid are convenient, since these fish can jump.
To maintain your health, perform partial water changes 25-30% each week, monitor the stable temperature and use tests to verify ammonium, nitrites and nitratesThey accept slightly alkaline waters if the water quality is excellent and nitrogen compounds are always maintained within the recommended values. A slight surface movement (without excessive currents) favors gas exchange and enhances its activity.
As for aquarium companions, they usually coexist well with species peaceful and active of similar size (e.g. other melanotaenids, non-aggressive barbs, danios, rasboras or corydoras). Avoid combining with very shy fish that can get stressed or with species aggressive that compete for territory.
Behavior and sociability
Naturally, rainbow fish congregate in large schools of fish not far from the surface. Of character peaceful, they feed in the wild on a wide variety of insects, larvae and microorganisms, supplemented with plant material and algae. In the aquarium, well-structured schools exhibit soft hierarchies in which dominant males tend to display more intense colors, especially at dawn and during courtship periods.
Their swimming style is steady and elegant; they appreciate long stretches of free space to move about. When the environment is suitable, males perform color parades before the females and sometimes a luminous band appears on the male's head as part of the nuptial display.
Reproduction in aquarium
Although they can spawn almost continuously under optimal conditions, reproduction intensifies when there is favorable changes in the environment (e.g., a slight temperature drop within the range and an increase in water changes that simulate wet seasons). Courting males display their best colors and fin vibrations.
The pair usually spawns above or among vegetation. The eggs are demersals and adhesives, sticking to fine leaves, Java moss or spawning mops. Depending on the temperature, hatching occurs in 7 to 14 days. The sexual maturity It is usually reached around one year of age, although it can vary with diet and growth.
In breeding aquariums, many aquarists separate the eggs into a hatchery tank to protect them from accidental predation. The fry are very small; initially, they require infusoria and, after a few days, they accept brine shrimp nauplii. Keep a impeccable water quality and very smooth changes are key to its development.
Conservation status and responsibility of the aquarist
In their natural environment, several species de peces rainbows are considered threatened due to habitat loss, deforestation, the introduction of invasive species and the agricultural pollution. To a lesser extent, indiscriminate collection for aquariophilia can put pressure on local populations if not managed properly. Choosing specimens from breeding in captivity, avoiding releases into the wild and supporting responsible breeders helps mitigate impacts and conserve biodiversity.
A useful aspect for the keeper is that the colors of the rainbow fish can reflect your health status: in the event of stress or poor water quality, turn off their tonesWith stable parameters and a varied diet, they quickly regain their characteristic shine.
I hope that with this information you can take good care of rainbow fish and enjoy their colors. With a large aquarium, stable water, a varied diet, and a compatible community, this fish shows fascinating social behaviors and a color palette that evolves throughout the day; taking care of their basic needs not only enhances their beauty, but also contributes to the responsible conservation of an emblematic group of aquarists.
