All fish / Melanotaeniidae

Fly River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sexlineata

Also known as fly river rainbow, sexlineata rainbowfish, six-lined rainbowfish, fly river rainbowfish, melanotaenia sp. fly river, メラノタエニア・セクスリネアタ, pelangi fly river, 飞河彩虹鱼

This medium-sized rainbowfish has a silvery body marked by several thin dark lines along the flanks, and the fins of males take on orange to reddish edges with a faint blue sheen. People keep it because it is active, hardy and peaceful, which makes it a lively, colourful shoaling fish for large planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Fly River system, Western Province, Papua New Guinea

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and pairs will spawn every day for a while. Breeding is easy, and the tiny fry need infusoria or other very fine foods at first before moving on to baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

These fish are quick, strong swimmers, so give them a long tank with a tight lid. To keep wild lines pure, do not house them with other Melanotaenia species, because they will hybridise.