All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Dwarf Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia maccullochi

Also known as mcculloch's rainbowfish, maccullochi rainbowfish, black-lined rainbowfish, australian dwarf rainbowfish, dwarf australian rainbowfish, macculloch rainbow, mcculloch rainbow, メラノタエニア・マクロキー, 麦氏彩虹鱼, 侏儒彩虹鱼

A small, silvery rainbowfish with several thin dark horizontal lines along the body and red or orange tints in the fins, which are brightest in displaying males. It stays small, tolerates a wide range of water conditions and is lively but gentle, so it suits planted community tanks well.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

20 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northeastern Australia (Queensland) and southern Papua New Guinea

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays a few adhesive eggs each day over several days among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. It is easy to breed; eggs hatch in about a week and the tiny fry need infusoria or liquid fry food before moving on to baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Several regional forms exist, so keep populations separate to avoid hybrids with other Melanotaenia species. Very active, so give it a long tank with open swimming space.