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Fish

Rainbowfishes
Chilatherina

Glossolepis




Melanotaenia











M. splendida








M. trifasciata

Melanotaenia nigrans 'Ali Lopez'

   Melanotaenia nigrans 'Ali Lopez', is an aquarium strain of this species (click here for a general discussion of rainbowfish). The original fish we started this strain with were provided by our friend Ali Lopez in 2003, hence the name.

Size: Males and females reach 11.5cm (4.5 in.).

Description: This fish is slimmer than most rainbowfishes. Both sexes sport a mid-lateral black stripe. Males have orange to red fins.

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: The range of this species across northern Australia, from the Kimberley region in Western Australia, to the northern part of the Northern Territory to Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland.

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. nigrans 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 June 6, 2007.

Copyright © 2007, Goliad Farms, Inc.