Crimson spot rainbowfish - Melanotaenia duboulayi

Scientific name: Melanotaenia duboulayi

Common name: Crimson spot rainbowfish

Family: Melanotaeniidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 8 - 9 cm (3.15 - 3.54 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 5 - 10°N (89.29 - 178.57ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 25 °C (71.6 - 77°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

Crimson spot rainbowfish is an omnivore; it will accept all foods offered. The staple diet should consist of quality flakes or pellets but treat with a weekly feed of blood worms or brine shrimp.

Origin

Australia; Crimson spot rainbowfish is to be found in New South Wales and Queensland.

Sexing

Males possess red stripes along their body. Their dorsal, anal, and caudal fins will have red spots, and when they are displaying to the females, there will be a black margin on all of the fins. The females will have clear fins.

Breeding

A planted tank should be used for breeding, spawning mops will also provide the same use. The fish normally spawn at daybreak, scattering their eggs amongst the plants. Once the eggs are laid, it is best to remove the parents as they are liable to eat them. The eggs should hatch after a week and the free swimming fry should be fed on Infusoria, change this to newly hatched brine shrimp as they grow.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Melanotaenia duboulayi is 3-4 years.

Short description

If kept with other species of rainbow fish, Melanotaenia duboulayi are likely to cross breed, keeping them in a species tank will prevent this. Best kept in small groups, they are a peaceful species.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.