Melanotaenia splendida splendida
| Common Names: | Cape York Rainbowfish Eastern Rainbowfish Splendid Rainbowfish |
| Synonyms: | Aristeus fitzroyensis Aristeus rufescens Melanotaenia nigrofasciata Melanotaenia splendida Nematocentris splendida Rhombatractus fitzroyensis Rhombatractus rufescens Strabo nigrofasciatus |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Category: | Rainbowfish |
| Distribution: | Australia; Rockhampton area in central Queensland, streams east of the Great Dividing Range along the coast of Queensland from Gladstone north to the Normanby River system in Cape York Peninsula |
| Main Ecosystem: | Stream; Actually occuring in almost every kind of freshwater habitat. |
| Temperament: | Peaceful; and schooling |
| Diet: | Carnivore; will accept all types of omnivorous foods |
| 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. Though this fish usually only gets about 12cm in the aquarium, it has the potential to reach its full size of 15 cm in length. And thus, 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 s |
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| 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. Females, though not as colorful as the males, do have coloration similar to the males. |
| Breeding: | Should only be bred with other sub-species splendida and not other splendida species rainbows of other sub-species. And also, should only be bred with sub-species from the same local, as not to confuse this fish with others if they cross breed. 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 ar |
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| Comments: | The species or group of Melanotaenia Rainbowfish known as splendida, is a widely distributed group that consists of 5 sub-species. The areas they come from are southern New Guinea, Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. It is hypothesized, that the splendida group originated in Western Australia and spread eastward, north into New Guinea and southward down the north east coast of Australia. And then differentiating into various sub-species. There are differences within |
| Main Colours: | Red, Gold, Blue |
| Markings: | Not Specified |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Flat |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | malomir |
| Submitted By: | ACIDRAIN |
| Contributors: | ACIDRAIN, marine_race |
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