Showing posts with label Rainbow Fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainbow Fish. Show all posts

2020-06-21

Fact Sheet: RIVER MURRAY RAINBOWFISH - Melanotaenia fluviatilis

(Original title: The River Murray Rainbow Fish)

Murray River Rainbow Fish.jpg
"Murray River Rainbow Fish" by Bahudhara Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons

The River Murray Rainbowfish, Melanotaenia fluviatilis, is one of the many types of Australian Rainbowfish. This group mainly a tropical and subtropical group of fishes, but this Fish's range extends into warm temperate areas and it is able to take quite low water temperatures.

Origin
The River Murray Rainbowfish is endemic to Australia. As its name suggests it is found in the River Murray. It is also found in many but not all of Murray's tributaries and several other river systems and lakes.

Size
They can reach 10 cm (4 inches long), but most are smaller than this. The males tend to be bigger than females.

Temperature
Most of the articles on the internet about this Fish suggest that a temperature of between 22 and 26 degrees C is ideal for this species. My experience suggests otherwise. Although this is a very versatile fish which will certainly live healthily in an aquarium, being treated as if it were a tropical fish, the specimens with the best colour tend to be pond fish, subject to the natural rise and fall of temperature with the different seasons as well as the different weather.

Water Conditions
This fish is able to take a wide range of conditions. Most of the places it occurs naturally have a high pH and the water is quite hard. In an aquarium, I suggest that the pH should be between 6.8 and 8. Excessively soft water is not ideal, but most tap waters will be of suitable hardness. As with all fish, the Chlorine or Chloramine needs to be removed before it comes into contact with the fish.



Food
This is an omnivorous fish. Like many of its relatives, it eats more plant material than most tropical fish. They will live on either Tropical or Goldfish food, but this should be supplemented with vegetable matter. Duckweed (Lemna species) is eaten very readily by this Fish. They also like many types of vegetable. I cook the harder vegetables enough to soften them. Zucchini are eaten as are cucumber, green peas and other vegetables.

Like many fish, they also relish insect larvae like mosquito larvae, small crustaceans like daphnia, and small worms. Our River Murray Rainbow Fish get frozen blood worms once a week as well as frozen brine shrimp once a week on a different day.



2018-01-07

If You're Going to Own a RAINBOW TROPICAL FISH, Read This!

English: A picture of a male Bosemani Rainbow ...
A picture of a male Bosemani Rainbow fish.
(Photo credit: 
Wikipedia)
Are you looking for a low maintenance fish that is nevertheless vibrant and exotic? If this sounds like you, then the rainbow tropical fish is the perfect choice for you. This sadly overlooked species is a mellow little animal that is ideal for beginner and veteran aquarium keepers alike.

Why is the rainbow tropical fish such a rare find? This is largely because many fish stores sell fish as juveniles or babies. Rainbow tropical fish don't tend to get their vibrant colors until their much older-as young fish they tend to be brownish green. These school dwelling fish show their colors when attracting mates. Unlike much tropical fish, they show no signs of aggression when other males are in the tank. Having a female or two will be ideal for breeding as well.

However, when choosing fish for your tank, be sure not to overcrowd them. While these are relatively small fish, they're still a school dwelling species that needs lots of room to roam. If you are unsure as to which animal to include with your school, try asking your local fish store.

Along with being beautiful, rainbow tropical fish are able to get along with a wide variety of aquarium fish. Oftentimes the problem is finding tropical freshwater fish that will be compatible with the rainbow fish; even tetras are known for nipping fins every so often. Some equally relaxed fish include guppies, angelfish, rasboras, and loaches. In addition to being a very mild tempered animal, they're relatively hearty as well, making them ideal fish for beginning tanks.

Some other things to remember when raising rainbow fish is the composition of your tank. Be sure to include lots of places for your fish to hide or sleep. These include broad-leafed plants, large rocks, and pieces of driftwood. Being naturally shy creatures, rainbow tropical fish need places for privacy and will lose their natural colors if overstressed.

Additionally, like most fish, rainbow fish are sensitive to extreme water changes. When caring for this species, be sure to have a quality water testing kit on hand. This allows you to check the levels of ammonia, nitrate, calcium, and other substances. In addition to this, having a high-quality heater and thermometer can't hurt either. There are even brands of heaters that have a memory setting, allowing you to keep the tank's temperature from fluctuating.



These are only a few things to consider when caring for a rainbow tropical fish. By being patient and diligent, you will be able to see just how much these tiny creatures can brighten up any tank. Learn more today!