Parkinson's Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia parkinsoni)

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Parkinson's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia parkinsoni
Parkinson's Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia parkinsoni)
Name Parkinson's Rainbowfish
Name Lat. Melanotaenia parkinsoni
Family Rainbowfishes
Family lat. Melanotaeniidae
Order Silversides
Order lat. Atheriniformes
Origin New Guinea
Habitat Forest streams
Diet Omnivore
pH 6.5-7.5
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Group
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Egg scatterer
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 5-7 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 12 cm
Temperature 24-28 °C
Hardness 6-15 °dH
Aquarium 200 l
US Units
Size 4.7"
Temperature 75-82 °F
Hardness 107-267 ppm
Aquarium 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Parkinsons Rainbowfish is eastern Papua New Guinea, where they occur on the south coast between Kemp River and Milne Bay. There they live in the shallow, clear water of rainforest streams and small rivers with dense vegetation as well as in residual water ponds.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense background and edge planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and plenty of swimming space. A fine sandy substrate, light slightly shaded with floating plants (e.g. Rizzia) and medium hard, slightly alkaline 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 high-quality dry food supplemented with live food, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form, such as artemia, mysis, daphnia and mosquito larvae or a commercially available frozen food mix. In addition, they regularly require vegetable food, e.g. in the form of algae leaves or dry food (granules, flakes) with spirulina or kelp.

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).

Behaviour and compatibility

They are lively, swarming fish and at least 5, but preferably much more should be kept together. In the shoal they show their most beautiful coloration. They are very peaceful and can be socialized well with rainbowfish of similar size, but also with other peaceful fish, such as barbs and catfish.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The male is more high backed and much more colorful than the slightly smaller female.

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.

Important

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

By feeding them with live or frozen food, especially mosquito larvae should not be missing, they get an intense coloration.

Since they are very voracious, a fast day should be inserted once a week.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value 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: Werner Winter; Image: Merz Zierfischgroßhandel

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF