Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia lacustris Average Adult Size: 4 inches (10 cm) Place of Origin: Australia, New Guinea Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity:  50 gallon  Compatibility: This peaceful fish is a schooling fish that should be housed in a planted aquarium with plenty of swimming room. A gravel substrate will add to a good environment and, if dark enough, may intensify the colors of the fish. Temperature:  70-77° F  Water chemistry: .pH 7.0-7.5  10 - 12 dKH Feeding:  Their omnivorous diet should include prepared flake, frozen, and live foods. Sexing: Males are brighter than females but only slightly most of the time. When in breeding mode the alpha male will brighten up to an shocking electric blue and the forehead turns yellow. This yellow is flashed on and off to attract the females. Breeding: Rainbow’s deposits its eggs in vegetation or other suitable substrate with Java moss. It’s best spawned in a pair or group comprising a single male and two or three females in a tank me