[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish – Rainbows & Blue-eyes – Splendid Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida)

Four subspecies of this popular rainbow are known: M. s. splendida (Eastern Rainbowfish), M. s. australis (Western Rainbowfish), M. s. inomata (Checkered Rainbowfish), and M. s. rubrostriata (Red-striped Rainbowfish). All have the same basic requirement.

Family

• Melanotaeniidae

Distribution

• M. s. splendida found in Queensland, Australia; M. s. inornata in Northern Territory, Australia; M. s. rubrostriata in Aru Island and southern New Guinea; M. s. australis in Western Australia and Northern Territory, Australia.

Size

• M. s. splendida 5 /2in (14cm); M. s. inornata 4 3/4in (12cm); M. s. rubrostriata 6in (15cm); M. s. australis 4 1/in (11cm).

Behavior

• Generally peaceful shoaler.

Diet

• Wide range of foods accepted.

Aquarium

• Spacious, well planted, with large open central area. Short, fine-leaved or fronded plants, such as Java moss (Vesiculana dubyana), may be used along bottom of swimming area. Medium-hard, slightly alkaline, well filtered but not turbulent water recommended. Temperature range: 70-82 F (21-28 C).

Breeding

• Eggs are scattered —over a period of a few days—among fine-leaved vegetation. Hatching takes approximately 7 days.