• Name:

    Turquoise Rainbow

    (View AKA's)
  • Family: Melanotaeniidae
  • Species: Rainbowfish
  • Scientific Name: Melanotaenia lacustris
More Details

Also Know As:

| Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish

General info about Turquoise Rainbow

The Turquoise Rainbow is a species of freshwater fish that belongs to the Melanotaenia genus. It is a peaceful and hardy fish that can be kept in a community aquarium. The species has a bright blue and turquoise coloration with a distinctive black stripe along its body.  Turquoise Rainbow typically grows up to 4 inches in length when fully mature.  To keep Turquoise Rainbow in an aquarium, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended. A larger tank size of 30-40 gallons is recommended for a small school of 5-6 fish. A well-planted aquarium with some open swimming space is ideal for these fish. A sand substrate with some rocks and driftwood can also be added to mimic their natural habitat.  The recommended water temperature range for the Turquoise Rainbow is between 72-79°F. The pH range should be between 7.0-8.0, and hardness between 8-15 dGH.

Turquoise Rainbow Diet & Nutrition

The Turquoise Rainbow is an omnivore and should be fed a varied diet. In the wild, they primarily feed on small insects and crustaceans. In an aquarium setting, they can be fed a mixture of flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Determining Sex of Turquoise Rainbow

It can be difficult to determine the sex of Turquoise Rainbow visually. Males are usually more colorful and have a brighter blue coloration. They may also have a slightly more pointed anal fin compared to females.

Breeding & Spawning Turquoise Rainbow

Turquoise Rainbow is a relatively easy fish to breed. A separate breeding tank with a breeding mop or mesh net can be used to spawn them. Once the eggs are laid, the parents should be removed from the breeding tank to avoid them eating the eggs. The eggs hatch within a week, and the fry can be fed on baby brine shrimp or crushed flakes.

Common Diseases with Turquoise Rainbow

Turquoise Rainbow is generally a hardy species and is not prone to any specific diseases. However, they can be susceptible to common freshwater fish diseases such as ich and fin rot. Regular water changes and good aquarium maintenance practices can help prevent diseases.

Turquoise Rainbow Origin

The Turquoise Rainbow is native to the freshwater streams and rivers of Australia.

Caution with Turquoise Rainbow

Turquoise Rainbow is a peaceful species and can be kept with other peaceful community fish. However, it is important to avoid keeping them with aggressive or territorial fish as they can become stressed or injured.

Acclimating Turquoise Rainbow

When introducing Turquoise Rainbow to an aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly. The fish should be floated in a bag on the surface of the aquarium for about 15-20 minutes to allow the temperature in the bag to equalize with the aquarium temperature. Then, a small amount of aquarium water should be added to the bag every 5-10 minutes for about an hour until the water volume in the bag doubles. Finally, the fish can be gently released into the aquarium.
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Original Detail

Name Species Family Scientific Name More Detail Added by
Turquoise Rainbow Rainbowfish Melanotaeniidae Melanotaenia lacustris The Turquoise Rainbow is a species of freshwater fish that belongs to the Melanotaenia genus. It is a peaceful and hardy fish that can be kept in a community aquarium. The species has a bright blue and turquoise coloration with a distinctive black stripe along its body.  Turquoise Rainbow typically grows up to 4 inches in length when fully mature.  To keep Turquoise Rainbow in an aquarium, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended. A larger tank size of 30-40 gallons is recommended for a small school of 5-6 fish. A well-planted aquarium with some open swimming space is ideal for these fish. A sand substrate with some rocks and driftwood can also be added to mimic their natural habitat.  The recommended water temperature range for the Turquoise Rainbow is between 72-79°F. The pH range should be between 7.0-8.0, and hardness between 8-15 dGH. PalaciosAn

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