Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas. Here's a comprehensive guide to the Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), one of the most colorful and...
Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Here's a comprehensive guide to the Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), one of the most colorful and popular freshwater species in the aquarium hobby:
Boesemani Rainbowfish
Bosemani Rainbow
Boeseman’s Rainbowfish
Category | Detail |
---|---|
Scientific Name | Melanotaenia boesemani |
Family | Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfish family) |
Origin | Aytinjo and Ajamaru Lakes, West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia |
Conservation Status | Endangered (IUCN Red List) |
Trait | Description |
---|---|
Size | Up to 4.5 inches (11–12 cm) in captivity |
Body Shape | Laterally compressed, deep-bodied |
Coloration | Distinct two-tone pattern: |
🔹 Front half – bright metallic blue | |
🟠 Rear half – vibrant orange or yellow |
Males: More vibrant, especially during mating displays.
Females: Duller in color, more silver-gray overall.
Trait | Detail |
---|---|
Temperament | Peaceful and social |
Social Behavior | Shoaling species – keep in groups of 6+ |
Activity Level | Very active swimmers; occupy the middle and upper parts of the tank |
Compatibility | Great for community tanks with other peaceful or semi-active species |
Trait | Detail |
---|---|
Native Region | Ajamaru Lakes and surrounding tributaries in West Papua |
Water Conditions | Slightly alkaline, clear water with aquatic vegetation |
Threats in the Wild | Habitat destruction, over-collection for the aquarium trade |
Parameter | Range |
---|---|
Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
pH | 7.0–8.0 |
Hardness | Moderate to hard (8–20 dGH) |
Ammonia/Nitrites | 0 ppm (very sensitive) |
Weekly water changes (25–50%) are important due to their sensitivity to poor water quality.
Feature | Recommendation |
---|---|
Tank Size | Minimum 40 gallons for a group; 55+ gallons ideal |
Aquascaping | Open swimming space + planted background |
Substrate | Sand or fine gravel |
Lighting | Moderate to bright (brings out colors) |
Decor | Driftwood, rocks, tall plants like Vallisneria or Amazon swords |
Filtration | Good filtration with moderate flow (can handle strong currents) |
Tank Lid | Required – they can jump! |
Type | Food |
---|---|
Omnivorous | - High-quality flake or pellet food |
Frozen/live foods: bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp
Vegetables: blanched spinach, zucchini, spirulina flakes |
Color-enhancing foods help maintain their vivid hues.
Feed 1–2 times daily in small amounts.
Aspect | Detail |
---|---|
Spawning Method | Egg scatterer |
Breeding Setup | Separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops |
Spawning Behavior | Males display vibrant colors and court females with fin displays |
Eggs | Sticky eggs are scattered over plants |
Hatching Time | 7–12 days (depending on temperature) |
Fry Care | Feed infusoria or powdered fry food, then baby brine shrimp |
Parents will eat the eggs, so remove adults or transfer eggs for better survival.
Group size matters – small groups can cause stress and dull coloration.
Don’t mix with fin-nippers (e.g., tiger barbs).
Color intensity improves with age, good diet, and water quality.
Not a beginner fish but manageable with some experience in community tanks.
Named after Dutch ichthyologist Dr. Marinus Boeseman who first collected the species.
The "half-and-half" color split becomes more prominent as males mature.
Despite being peaceful, males may spar with each other—this is harmless and part of their display behavior.
Other Rainbowfish (e.g., Melanotaenia praecox, M. lacustris)
Peaceful barbs (e.g., cherry barbs)
Corydoras
Gouramis (except aggressive types)
Peaceful tetras (e.g., rummy nose, lemon)
Livebearers (e.g., mollies, platys)
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