Bleher’s rainbowfish - Chilatherina bleheri

Scientific name: Chilatherina bleheri

Common name: Bleher’s rainbowfish

Family: Melanotaeniidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 12 cm (3.94 - 4.72 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 8 - 16°N (142.86 - 285.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Oceania

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Although Bleher’s rainbowfish is classed as carnivorous, it will accept quality flake as its staple diet. Live and frozen foods are needed to supplement this, blood worm and brine shrimp are ideal.

Origin

Australia, Indonesia.

Sexing

As with most rainbow fish the male will have a longer first dorsal fin. As the fish reach maturity, the females will be smaller and the males will develop a deeper body.

Breeding

Bleher’s rainbowfish have to be the easiest of rainbow fish to breed. Adding a male and female together is all that is needed. Raising the fry is the hardest part, they are very slow growing. Once the eggs have hatched they need to be separated from the parents or they will eat them. The fry will be very small, feed them with Infusoria or vinegar eels until they have grown slightly in size. Regular water changes are required to keep the fry healthy.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Bleher’s rainbowfish is 8-12 years.

Short description

Chilatherina bleheri are a recent discovery, first collected by Heiko Bleher in 1982. In looks they are very similar to the well known Boesemani species of rainbow fish.