Melanotaenia splendida tatei

Common Names:

Desert Rainbowfish

Synonyms:

Nematocentris tatei
Nematocentris winneckei
Rhombatractus winneckei

Family:

Melanotaeniidae

Category:

Rainbowfish

Distribution:

Australia; Central arid region of Australia. Including parts of Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.

Main Ecosystem:

Stream; Found in semi-permanent streams and springs, and even found in wells.

Temperament:

Peaceful; and schooling

Diet:

Carnivore; but will accept all forms 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. These fish get about 10 cm in the wild, and usually only about 8 cm or less in captivity. However, they can reach their potential size. Because of their small sizes, they can be housed nicely in a 29-30 gal tank nicely. These fish will do great in a live planted tank. Use some fine leafed plants, as this is what the

pH:

6.5 - 8

Temperature:

24°C - 33°C

75°F - 91°F

Hardness:

5 dH - 15 dH

Potential Size:

Male: 10cm (3.9")
Female: 10cm (3.9")

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 be only breed to fish from the same local as well. There is sometimes difficulty in breeding these fish. In their natural environment, they spawn during the rainy season. One trick to induce spawning with them, is to do multiple water changes at often intervals. Such as small amounts of about 5 % every other day. If they are induced to spawn, they are ver

Variants:

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:

Yellow, Blue, Pink

Markings:

Not Specified

Mouth:

Normal

Tail:

Forked

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Image Credit:

Submitted By:

ACIDRAIN

Contributors:

ACIDRAIN

History:

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