Melanotaenia parkinsoni

Common Names:

Parkinson's Rainbowfish

Synonyms:

Family:

Melanotaeniidae

Category:

Rainbowfish

Distribution:

Australia; Papua New Guinea between the Kemp River and Milne Bay

Main Ecosystem:

River; River

Temperament:

Peaceful; and schooling

Diet:

Ominvore; Will happily take all major flake and granular foods intended for tropical fish. Like most rainbowfish the parkinsons rainbow enjoys all types of midge and mosquito larvae. Not a fussy feeder.

Care:

Not too demanding, if given the proper requirements. Very hardy. 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 15 cm in length. They will need some room to swim, so it is highly recommended that they not be kept in anything smaller than a 55 gal aquarium. These fish will do great in a live planted tank. Use some fine leafed plants, as this is what they will use for breeding.

pH:

7.5 - 7.8

Temperature:

24°C - 30°C

75°F - 86°F

Hardness:

8 dH - 10 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 15cm (5.9")
Female: 15cm (5.9")

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. The females are mostly all silver, with the males sporting the yellow or orange blotches of color.

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

Variants:

Comments:

There are several varieties among these fish. The level of coloration of the male differs without explanation. Some may have only the caudal fin and the later part of the dorsal and anal fin with color. While other males will be three fourths colored up. It is not clear as to the reason for this, as it will be different in all fry from the same brood. And, the females will breed with all color forms, without distinction. There are also, two different color morphs of this fish. One bei

Main Colours:

Silver, Orange, Yellow

Markings:

Not Specified

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Forked

Search:

Image Credit:

longhairedgit

Submitted By:

ACIDRAIN

Contributors:

ACIDRAIN, longhairedgit

History:

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