Goliad Farms, LP - Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia irianjaya

Description: Males sport a purplish-green body with a broad dark lateral mid-stripe. The dorsal is often yellow and the anal fin orange. Females are drab olive with a broad dark lateral mid-stripe.

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: Vogelkop Peninsula 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. Adult M. irianjaya do not usually eat their fry. Growth is rapid and sexual maturity is reached in about 4 months.

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/Melanotaenia.htm

Page last modified February 4, 2005