Melanotaenia boesemani

Common Names:

Boesemani Rainbowfish
Boseman's Rainbowfish

Synonyms:

Family:

Melanotaeniidae

Category:

Rainbowfish

Distribution:

Asia; Ajamaru Lakes in Irian Jaya.

Main Ecosystem:

Lake; Lake

Temperament:

Schooling; Rainbowfish are undemanding and easy to keep.

Diet:

Ominvore; Ominvore

Care:

Feed with flakes and small live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. Partial sunlight and a planted tank with plenty of swimming room are important to the Rainbowfish.

pH:

7 - 8

Temperature:

27°C - 30°C

81°F - 86°F

Hardness:

10 dH - 20 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 15.2cm (6")
Female: 14cm (5.5")

Water Region:

Middle, Surface; Middle-Surface

Activity:

Diurnal; Diurnal

Gender:

Male boesemani show a split coloration that is completely different from most other rainbowfishes. The front part of the body is a brilliant bluish-grey, almost blackish, while the rear half is (including the fins) yellow to bright orange-red. Between these two areas, there are alternating light and dark vertical bars. The females are similar to many of the other species of Melanotaenia. Females generally have a shallower keel to their bodies, like most rainbowfish.

Breeding:

Boesemani will breed in an aquarium either in a spawning mop or Java moss. It is
recommended that you change the spawning medium daily to a separate tank to raise the fry, which hatch from 7-10 days later. Boesmani fry are very small and hard to raise.

Variants:

Comments:

Main Colours:

Yellow, Gold, Blue

Markings:

Striped Vertical

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Forked

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