Papuan Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia papuae)

Papuan Rainbowfish Melanotaenia papuae
Name	Papuan Rainbowfish
Name Lat.	Melanotaenia papuae
Family	Rainbowfishes
Family lat.	Melanotaeniidae
Order	Silversides
Order lat.	Atheriniformes
Origin	New Guinea
Habitat	Forest streams
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.3-7.8
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	3-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	5-7 cm
Temperature	25-32 °C
Hardness	5-15 °dH
Aquarium	160 l
US Units
Size	2"-2.8"
Temperature	77-90 °F
Hardness	89-267 ppm
Aquarium	40 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Papua Rainbowfish is in the vicinity of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. They are found in a variety of habitats with dense underwater vegetation and floating plant cover, such as forest streams and small coastal rivers with moderate currents, where they usually live in shoals among branches and roots.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense background and edge planting, with hiding places (roots, stones) and plenty of free swimming space. A fine sandy substrate, slightly shaded light (floating plants) and clear, rather soft water is ideal

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mysis, artemia and mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they regularly need some vegetable food, such as pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with vegetable ingredients (spirulina, kelp)

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are lively and swimming fish, which show their most beautiful coloration in the shoal. At least 5, but preferably more animals should be kept together. In too small groups they are often quarrelsome. They can be socialized well with rainbowfish of similar size, but also with other fish. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The male is larger and more colorful and has pointed, slightly enlarged 2nd dorsal and anal fins. Females are somewhat paler.

Reproduction and breeding

They are free spawners, which during the reproductive period daily in the morning (morning sun) deposit their eggs with adhesive filaments in fine-leaved plants. The fry hatch after 6-7 days. The parents do not engage in brood care.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, infusoria). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey here.

Important

They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered.

There are site variants, which differ slightly in coloration and pattern.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF