All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Spotted rainbowfish

Glossolepis maculosus

Also known as spotted rainbow, spotted glossolepis, ramu spotted rainbowfish, glossolepis maculosa, グロッソレピス・マクロスス, 斑点彩虹鱼

A small, deep-bodied rainbowfish from the Ramu basin in Papua New Guinea. Its silvery body has rows of dark spots, and the fins of mature males pick up yellow to orange tints. It is popular because it stays small, is active and peaceful, and suits planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more, with several females per male

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets, plus live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Papua New Guinea (Ramu River basin)

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days, much like other rainbowfish. The eggs hatch in about a week and the tiny fry need infusoria or other very fine foods at first, so breeding is fairly easy for the experienced keeper.

Good to know

It has a limited wild range, so captive-bred stock is preferable. Males show their best colour when kept with females and other males in a well-planted tank.