Contents

Fish

Rainbowfishes
Chilatherina

Glossolepis




Melanotaenia











M. splendida








M. trifasciata

Chilatherina bleheri, Bleher's Rainbowfish

   Chilatherina bleheri is a stream and lake dwelling rainbowfish from northern New Guinea (click here for a general discussion of rainbowfish). The species name comes from its discoverer, Heiko Bleher. The photo is of a sexually mature, but not full sized, male about 11cm (4.5 in.) long. We acquired this species from a commercial source in 1995.

Size: Males and females reach 13 cm (5.5 in.).

Description: Males are silvery in front,  becoming yellow and then red towards the tail. Faint black, vertical squiggles are present along the body's midline. The caudal (tail) is red and the other fins yellow to red. Mature males become very deep bodied. Females are silver-gray with with several faint black horizontal stripes and remain slimmer than the males. Like other rainbows, this species is long-lived (5+ years). 

Environment: This species tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.0 while preferring the higher end (basic) of this range. Water hardness is not critical. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F).

Geographic Range: A limited area of northern New Guinea. Dr. Gerald R. Allen places it from the Mamberamo region of Irian Jaya.

Temperament: This species is not aggressive and is an active swimmer. It can be kept either in a large single species aquarium or in active community aquaria with other rainbowfish or other fish with similar behavior.

Feeding: Feeding is simple with the fish taking prepared foods as well as live and frozen foods. Periodic feedings of Daphnia or other live foods are helpful in color maintenance, general health and breeding.

Spawning: This rainbowfish spawns like other rainbowfish, laying eggs daily in fine leaved plants or plant roots (click here for a general discussion of rainbowfish breeding). The eggs hatch in about 12 days and the fry can take microworms, vinegar eels or infusoria immediately. Growth is rapid and sexual maturity is reached in about 4 months. Despite the reports of egg and fry eating from other authorities, the author finds that they do not eat either eggs or fry.

Additional Information and Photos: For more information about and additional photos of this species, click on one of the following links:
   http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Chilatherina.htm     

Page last modified June 6, 2007.

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