Chilatherina bleheri
| Common Names: | Bleher's Rainbowfish |
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| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Category: | Rainbowfish |
| Distribution: | Australia; known only from Lake Holmes and the feeder streams in the Mamberamo region of Irian Jaya, Indonesia |
| Main Ecosystem: | Lake; and rivers |
| Temperament: | Peaceful; Peaceful and schooling |
| Diet: | Carnivore; will accept omnivore type foods |
| Care: | Not demanding and very hardy fish. An easy to keep fish, if given the proper requirements. Should be kept in schools of at least two males to several females to show their best colors and activity. This fish can get to 12 cm in length, but usually less than 10 cm in the aquarium. With this size, and the need to be in schools, it is recommended they are kept in a large tank with plenty of open swimming area. 55 gals being the recommended minimum size. These fish will do great in a live |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 12cm (4.7") Female: 12cm (4.7") |
| Water Region: | Middle, Surface; but will frequent all areas of the aquarium |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | As with most Rainbows, the males have a longer first dorsal fin that will over lap the second, where as the female’s will not. The male, with age, also has the sloped and notched forehead, with an increased deeper body. Females are also smaller than the males. |
| Breeding: | There is no difficulty in breeding these fish. As if you have a male and female, they are most likely going to breed. They are very prolific, and will breed readily in most water parameters. The problem lies in the raising of the fry. The fry are very small, and grow slowly. They require large amounts of very small foods, and very clean water. Start the fry off with infusoria or vinegar eels. The parents will eat the eggs, and subsequent fry, so a separate fry tank will be needed fo |
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| Comments: | A fairly new discovered fish, being collected for the first time in 1982. It was 1985 when they were described by Gerald R. Allen as a new species. Named in honor of a very well known fish collector, Heiko Bleher. A very attractive fish, that sports a bicolor similar to the Rainbowfish known as M. boesemani. The back lateral half usually being red, pink, or orange, while the front lateral half is yellow-gold, to a green-blue. As newly mature adolescents, they are mostly orange to re |
| Main Colours: | Red, Yellow, Green |
| Markings: | Not Specified |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Forked |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | ACIDRAIN |
| Contributors: | ACIDRAIN |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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