All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Duboulay's rainbowfish

Melanotaenia duboulayi

Also known as duboulayi rainbowfish, duboulayi's rainbowfish, crimson-spotted rainbowfish, crimson spotted rainbowfish, eastern rainbowfish, australian rainbowfish, duboulay rainbow, duboulayi rainbow, ドゥボウライ・レインボー, 杜氏彩虹鱼, 红点彩虹鱼

A silvery, fairly deep-bodied rainbowfish with a dark midline stripe, a red spot on the gill cover and fins edged in red or yellow, with males becoming taller and more colourful as they mature. It is hardy, active and tolerant of a wide temperature range, which makes it a popular choice for large community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

18 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal drainages of eastern Australia (northern New South Wales and southern Queensland)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days, usually at dawn. Breeding is easy; move the eggs or adults out and raise the fry on infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Very active swimmers that need a long tank with open space and a tight lid, as they can jump. Wild populations vary in colour by locality, so avoid mixing them with other Melanotaenia species to keep strains pure.