Salmon Red Rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus)
| Salmon Red Rainbowfish Glossolepis incisus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Salmon Red Rainbowfish |
| Name Lat. | Glossolepis incisus |
| Family | Rainbowfishes |
| Family lat. | Melanotaeniidae |
| Order | Silversides |
| Order lat. | Atheriniformes |
| Origin | New Guinea |
| Habitat | Lakes, tributaries |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Swarm |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 15 cm |
| Temperature | 22-24 °C |
| Hardness | 10-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5.9" |
| Temperature | 72-75 °F |
| Hardness | 178-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Salmon Red Rainbowfish are found exclusively (endemically) in northern New Guinea in Lake Sentani and its tributaries. There they prefer to live in the shore area with dense underwater vegetation and sunken roots and branches.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense background and edge planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and plenty of swimming space. A dark substrate of sand or fine gravel, shaded light (floating plants) as well as slightly alkaline, medium hard water and a weak current 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 daphnia, artemia, mysis or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as blanched leafy and wild vegetables, algae leaves or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively, swimming schooling fish and at least 5, but preferably much more should be kept together. They are often quarrelsome in groups that are too small. They can be well socialized with rainbowfish of similar size, but also with other lively fish.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are salmon red and more high-backed than the silver-gray smaller females.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners, which during the reproductive period daily in the morning (morning sun) deposit their eggs with adhesive filaments on fine-leaved plants. The fry hatch after 8-12 days. The parents do not engage in brood care.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii, 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
They show their most beautiful coloration by feeding with live food.
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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF