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: 7 - 8

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

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 24 - 27 °C (75.2 - 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

Short description

Bleher’s rainbowfish (Chilatherina bleheri) is a graceful, medium-sized rainbowfish from New Guinea, prized for its metallic sheen and orange-yellow fin flashes. It’s an active, peaceful shoaler that looks and behaves best in groups of 6 in a long tank with open swimming space, plants along the back/sides, and clean, well-oxygenated water.

Origin

Oceania — freshwater rivers and streams of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea). It inhabits clear, flowing waters with aquatic vegetation and submerged wood.

Food and feeding

An omnivore with a strong appetite for small invertebrates. Use high-quality flakes or micro-pellets as the staple and supplement 3–4× weekly with small frozen/live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, or finely chopped bloodworms. Include some spirulina/veg-based foods for gut health and color.

Sexing

Males develop a deeper body, more intense coloration, and a more extended first dorsal fin as they mature; females remain smaller and paler with a slimmer profile.

Breeding

A typical rainbowfish egg scatterer and frequent (often daily) spawner when conditioned. Provide spawning mops or fine-leaved plants; adults may eat eggs, so move the mop/eggs to a rearing tank. At 24–26 °C eggs hatch in about 7–10 days; fry are tiny—start with infusoria/rotifers, then newly hatched brine shrimp as they grow. Maintain immaculate water and offer small meals several times per day; growth is steady but relatively slow.

Lifespan

With good care expect 6–10 years (longer is possible in stable, low-nitrate aquaria).

Behavior & compatibility

Peaceful and active midwater fish. Excellent with other rainbowfish of similar size, larger rasboras/tetras, peaceful Corydoras, and non-aggressive dwarf cichlids. Avoid fin-nippers and very boisterous tank mates that might stress them or outcompete them at feeding time.

Tank requirements

• Tank size: 120 cm length (250 L) or larger for a group.
• Aquascape: open swimming lanes with plants at the sides/back; add wood for structure and shaded zones.
• Water: pH 7.0–8.0; moderately hard; temperature 24–27 °C sits well. Keep oxygen high and nitrate low.
• Maintenance: stable, clean water; weekly partial changes and steady filtration/flow.