Parkinson's Rainbowfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A rare beauty from Papua New Guinea. Aaron Norman
[edit] Overview
This glorious, gold-flecked species is less commonly seen than many other rainfishes and has all the desirable traits of its peaceful family.
Rainbowfishes are active schoolers with many admirable qualities. They are best kept in groups of two females for every male—or larger schools in bigger tanks. The high arch of the back increases with age. These fish are slow to color up, requiring maturity and a mate to reach full coloration. Females are smaller than the males.
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Found in freshwater streams in the wild. The aquarium should have a layer of floating plants and be aquascaped around the perimeters, leaving plenty of open swimming room in the center. Decorate sparingly with rocks, driftwood, and a dark substrate and a planted backdrop.
Maximum length: 11 cm (4 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Freshwater 22 °C (295 K, 72 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: All levels.
[edit] Feeding
Omnivore. Takes prepared, frozen and live foods with equal enthusiasm. It is an active hunter that will capture live prey the instant it hits the water.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Tankmates should be peaceful community types that have differing swimming habits and occupy different zones in the aquarium
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Pairs spawn in the morning and scatter the eggs, which adhere to fine-leaved plants and the roots of floating plants. Spawning mops can be used to collect eggs for hatching.
[edit] Notes
These fish will jump; cover the tank securely.
| Common name | Parkinson's Rainbowfish + |
| Family | Melanotaeniidae + |
| Genus | Melanotaenia + |
| Image credit | AN + |
| Maximum length | 4 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 30 gal + |
| Native range | Oceania +, and Papua New Guinea + |
| Reference | PocketExpert Freshwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | parkinsoni + |
| Swimming level | All levels. + |
| Text credit | JL + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 295 K (22 °C, 72 °F) + |
| Water type | Freshwater + |