Goliad Farms, LP - Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia 'Orange Tailed Silver Rainbowfish'

Goliad Farms, LP

8497 FM 622
Goliad, Texas 77963

Voice 361.645.2252
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com

Contents

Fish

Rainbowfishes
Chilatherina

Glossolepis

Melanotaenia

M. splendida

M. trifasciata

Melanotaenia 'Orange-Tailed Silver'

Melanotaenia 'Orange-Tailed Silver' is an aquarium strain developed by Goliad Farms. The actual scientific identity of this fish, other than its genus, is not known with certainty. This is a true breeding strain. The "Orange-Tailed Silver" refers to the body and background color of the male of the aquarium strain. The top photo is a male. The middle photo is a female that shows more green iridescence than we like. The bottom photo is a female showing the coloration we are selecting. We developed this strain beginning in 1995.

Size: Males and females reach 7.5cm (3 in.).

Description: Males have silvery-yellow bodies tending toward orange near the caudal fin (tail). The fins are pastel yellow. Females are greenish or yellowish in coloration or, sometimes, a faint blue. The top photo is a male. The center photo is of greenish female. The bottom photo is a gold female with a more prominent dark stripe than is usual.

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: This aquarium strain apparently has no natural range.

Temperament: This fish 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.

Additional Information and Photos: None.

Page last modified on June 6, 2007.