Murray River Rainbow 4cm

Melanotaenia fluviatilis

The basic colour of these fish is olive, brownish, or slightly turquoise on the back and upper side grading to white on the lower half. A thin reddish stripe is situated between each horizontal scale row, particularly in mature males. There is sometimes a blackish, mid-lateral stripe. Fins are clear to reddish, sometimes with faint spotting. Males may have blackish margins on the dorsal, anal, and anterior margin of the pelvic fins, especially during courtship and spawning. Prior to spawning the male's colour intensifies becoming emerald green, the throat orange and the tail fin red.

Keeping and caring for rainbowfishes in captivity is reasonably simple as far as general aquarium conditions are concerned. They are one of the easiest fishes to maintain in captivity. They also possess all the attributes we look for in aquarium fishes. Ease of breeding, hardy, beautiful colours, peaceful disposition and they won't destroy your plants or move the gravel around in your aquarium. They come in a variety of sizes to suit almost any community aquarium.

Rainbowfishes have very similar breeding habits, their food requirements are similar, and water that suits one particular species will suit all. All are of good-natured temperament and will live harmoniously, more or less, with one another. They are great fish to be kept in ponds with frogs.