All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Corona Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia corona

Also known as corona rainbow, crowned rainbowfish, siewa rainbowfish, メラノタエニア・コロナ, ikan pelangi corona, 冠彩虹鱼

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This is a medium-sized rainbowfish with a silvery body, a dark band along the side and bluish to yellow tones, while mature males grow deeper bodies and longer fins. It was described from a single river in northern Papua and is rare in the hobby, so keepers who specialise in rainbowfish value it for conservation breeding.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, with more females than males

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern New Guinea, Indonesia (Papua): Siewa River in the Mamberamo basin

Breeding

It scatters eggs over a period of days onto fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and the adhesive eggs hatch in about a week. Breeding it is not hard if you remove the eggs or fry, and the fry need infusoria or other very fine food at first.

Good to know

Stock is scarce and wild collections were very limited, so buy from known breeders and keep the line pure by not crossing it with other Melanotaenia species. Keep a lid on the tank because it can jump.