All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Arfak rainbowfish

Melanotaenia arfakensis

Also known as arfak rainbow, arfak mountains rainbowfish, prafi river rainbowfish, メラノタエニア・アルファケンシス, ikan pelangi arfak, 阿法克彩虹鱼

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A medium-sized, deep-bodied rainbowfish with a silvery body, a dark band along the side and a pattern of thin orange or reddish lines between the scale rows, with males showing yellow to red fins. It is active, hardy and peaceful, so it suits planted community tanks with plenty of open swimming space.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, ideally with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Prafi River system, Vogelkop (Bird's Head) Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Breeding

Pairs scatter eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days, and the eggs hatch in about a week. Breeding is easy; the fry need infusoria or liquid fry food at first, then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Listed as Endangered by the IUCN because of its tiny natural range, so captive-bred stock is preferable. Avoid keeping it with other Melanotaenia species if you want to maintain pure lines, as they hybridise readily.