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Rainbowfish
/ Melanotaeniinae / Western Splendid Rainbowfish
Western Splendid Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida australis | Pictures
Synonyms: Melanotaenia
solata, Nevatherina australis
Physical description: An elongated species with lateral compression.
There are two dorsal fins, the caudal
fin is forked, and the anal fin has a long base.
The eye is large, but the head is small.
The back is brownish red and the lower
parts are bluish gray.
A broad, dark blue band runs from the eye to the fork of the caudal fin.
The upper flanks have a reddish iridescence,
while the lower have a blue iridescence.
The rear two-thirds of the body is marked with several red to black
lateral stripes that run to the caudal fin.
The fins are bluish, marked with red spots, and bordered with black.
Size/Length: Males to 4.3" (11 cm), females to 3.2" (8 cm)
Similar species: Other sub-species of
Melanotaenia splendida, other
Melanotaenia, Chilatheria
Habitat: Western Australia (Swan River) and in the Northern Territory.
S: middle, top
Aquarium: A tank measuring 36" (91 cm) with a capacity of 35 gallons (132 L) is suggested.
Use
plants as a backdrop and leave open swimming areas in the front.
Place the aquarium where it receives morning
sun light.
Use a tight-fitting cover as this species may jump.
The tank should have an efficient filter
and frequent water changes should be made.
Suggest a dark substrate to bring out the colors of this species.
Water chemistry: pH 6.5-8 (7.0), 8-18 dH (12), 73-82°F (23-28°C)
Social behavior: An active, schooling species that is peaceful enough to be kept in a community tank.
This
rainbow should be kept in groups of five or more.
Suggested companions: other Rainbows, Gouramis, Tetras,
Corydoras
FOOD: Live; insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, insects; flakes
SEX: Males are larger, more colorful, and higher backed with age.
Breeding techniques: Provide a large tank furnish with Java Moss and bunches of fine-leafed plants.
The
water should be clean-with regular partial water changes- and have a temperature from 75-82°F (24-28°C).
A pair
forms following much chasing.
This pair should be conditioned in the breeding tank with
Artemia and insect larvae.
During
spawning the colors of both fish are enhanced.
Spawning usually occurs at dawn and 10-20 large eggs are scattered
among plants.
The eggs adhere to plants with sticky filaments.
This process continues for about two weeks.
The
eggs hatch after 7-8 days and the parents should be removed.
The young should be first fed liquid and powdered
dry foods.
The fry are easy to raise and grow quickly.
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding is not difficult provided the proper tank set up.
Remarks: There are six described sub-species of
M. splendida, although only four are commonly
seen in the hobby: M. splendida
australis, M. splendida inornata, M. splendida rubrostriata, and
M. splendida splendida.
The
colors of this species only develop after the fish is over a year old.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This peaceful species requires frequent partial water changes.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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