Pygmy Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia pygmaea)
| Pygmy Rainbowfish Melanotaenia pygmaea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Pygmy Rainbowfish |
| Name Lat. | Melanotaenia pygmaea |
| Family | Rainbowfishes |
| Family lat. | Melanotaeniidae |
| Order | Silversides |
| Order lat. | Atheriniformes |
| Origin | Australia |
| Habitat | Forest streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4-6 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | 160 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6"-2.4" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Dwarf rainbowfishes occur in two small tributaries (Cascade Greek, Youwanjela Greek) of the Prince Regent River in West Kimberley, a region of northwestern Australia, where they often live in shallow, oxygen-rich pools below waterfalls with dense underwater vegetation, roots, and branches.
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, has a reddish head and pointed fins. Females are slightly paler and have rounded fins.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners, which during the reproductive period deposit their eggs, provided 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.
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: 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