BACK TO FISH
Native to Australia, New Guinea and several
adjacent islands, Rainbowfish ("Rainbows") are the most popular
of our native aquarium fish. They are colourful, undemanding
and easy to breed. Rainbows are well suited to community
aquariums with their active manner and peaceful nature. They
are best kept in a small group with other peaceful species
in a planted aquarium, with plenty of open swimming space.
The name Rainbowfish is aptly chosen as most of
these fish show their colours in many different hues,
depending on their mood and the type and direction of
the light source. Like the Congo Tetra, the reflective
colours of Rainbows are best seen when there is some
light source reaching the front of the aquarium from
behind the viewer.
This can be achieved by putting Rainbows in aquariums
that are positioned to receive some natural light from
windows, or by positioning aquarium lighting towards the
front of the aquarium rather than towards the rear. (The
simple experiment of shining a torch at Rainbows shows
the difference the direction of the light can make.) Also
avoid coloured gravels, as these can help "wash out" the
fish's colour.
Most Rainbows are not fussy about water conditions
and can be kept in most aquarium conditions. Many of
the Australian species also have wide temperature tolerances
because of the climates they live in. (e.g. Murray
River Rainbows typically experience winter water temperatures
down to 10 C, Crimson Spot Rainbows 15 C and Eastern Rainbows
18 C, in summer water temperatures for these fish are typically
25-30 C.)
Rainbows will eat virtually all standard
fish foods; most types should be given vegetable/"green" foods
regularly, larger species also relish Duckweed. Avoid
feeding beefheart, as this can lead to health problems.
Rainbows are very easy to breed, and often
do so in the retail or home aquarium. The males attract
the females with heightened colour and fin displays. The
eggs are scattered on aquatic plants and usually hatch in
7-10 days (provided no fish are present to eat them.)
Rainbows can be quite varied in appearance;
the Banded Rainbow for example, has more than 20 geographic
variations, each one quite distinctive in colour.
| BOESEMAN'S RAINBOW 3.5CM |
 |
The Boesemani is a very attractive rainbow native
to Lake Ayamaru, Irian Jaya. A great display
fish when kept in a group of six or more with other
community fish in a large planted aquarium. Can
grow up to 10-12cm.
|
| CHECKERED RAINBOW (M.SPL.INORNATA) 7CM |
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This is a large rainbow with strongly patterned
fins, native to the N.T. and Gulf of Carpenteria
regions. Easily kept, they can grow to 12cm
or more. They appreciate regular feedings of
vegetable/"green" foods.
|
| CRIMSON SPOTTED RAINBOW 5CM |
 |
The Crimson Spotted Rainbow can handle
water somewhat cooler than other rainbows, with temperatures
down to 15deg being acceptable. The Crimson Spotted
Rainbow is a greenish fish with the typical red and
yellow rainbow-like horizontal stripes, and a crimson-red
spot on each gill plate. Also known as Duboulay's
Rainbow, maximum size is 10-11cm. |
| LAKE TEBERA RAINBOW 4.5CM |
|
One of a number of brightly coloured lake
species from PNG. Males develop a bright yellow
body colour with contrasting red fins. Native
to Lake Tebera in the southern highlands. Peaceful
community fish, growing to about 10cm. |
| MURRAY RIVER RAINBOW 4CM |
 |
Native to the Murray-Darling basin, the
Murray River Rainbow tolerates a wide range of water
temperatures (25-30 C in summer and down to 9-10 C
in winter). It is an ideal native fish for unheated
aquaria and garden ponds - active, peaceful and easy
to care for. In outdoor situations, it is a
very efficient means of controlling mosquito larvae. The
males develop a blue-green body, black edged fins and
an orange tail, they can grow to 9-10cm whereas the
females remain slightly smaller. |
| NEON RAINBOW 3.5CM, 4.5CM |
 |
The Neon Rainbow (Melanotaenia praecox)
is perhaps the most spectacular of all rainbow fish.
It is best displayed in schools in a heavily planted
tank with dark gravel and slightly subdued lighting. Males
are easily distinguished from females by the red edges
to their fins. Ideal tank mates for Neons, Cardinals
and most other tetras. |
| PARKINSONS RAINBOW (ORANGE) 4.5CM |
 |
A large showy rainbow from southern PNG. Males
have orange stripes on their bodies and orange and
black fins. With age, their body colour often
changes into large blotches of orange rather than stripes. Will
grow to 12cm or more in a large aquarium. |
| RED RAINBOW 4.5CM |
 |
The Red Rainbow is one of the most popular
of the PNG rainbows. Mature males are completely
red, except for a number of silver reflective scales
randomly scattered over the body. Juveniles and
females are mostly silver, the males start to transform
into their adult colour at 5-6cm. A hardy and
easy to keep species which is ideal for community aquaria. Native
to Lake Sentani in Irian Jaya, Red Rainbows can grow
to 12-14cm. |
| THREADFIN RAINBOW 3.5CM |
 |
The Threadfin Rainbow is a small fish
native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Males
are easily identifiable by their spectacular long fins. Best
kept with peaceful species of similar size such as
Spotted Blue-Eyes and small tetras in a well planted
aquarium. Grows to about 4cm. |
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