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Aquaria Now - The Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)
Aquaria Now Home > Fish Profiles:
Boesemani Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia boesemani (Allen & Cross, 1980)
| Family |
Distribution |
Max. Size |
pH |
Temp. |
Breeding |
|
Melanotaeniidae
|
Western New Guinea
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5.5"
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Neutral
|
72-82° F.
|
Beginner
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| Diet |
Swim Range |
Temperment |
Sociability |
Min. Tank |
Availability |
|
Omnivorous
|
Middle
|
Peaceful
|
Groups
|
30 gallons
|
Common
|
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No photo
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Notes
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The Boesemani Rainbowfish is a beautiful fish that makes a great addition to the medium-sized community aquarium. They are quite popular and sold a most aquarium shops, with most specimens being captive-bred from fish farms. These Rainbowfish make excellent "dither fish" for Central or South American Cichlids.
Many captive-bred Boesemani Rainbowfish have faded out colors from those collected from nature, but due to over-fishing there are now limits on how many of these fish can be exported and sold in the hobby.
Provide an aquarium with plenty of space for these active fish to swim. They are a schooling species, and should be kept in groups. Well-filtered, clean water is a must, and the fish appreciate a semi-strong water current. Poor water conditions can result in Rainbowfish developing forums of columnaris, which are small hair-like growths around the mouth area.
Sexing is easy, as it is the males that are much more colorful than their female counterparts. Females are slimmer and drab in color; males have the trademark "tall" body, with brilliant yellow-orange coloring on the back portion of the body and fins.
Boesemani Rainbowfish will readily spawn in the home aquarium.
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