Crimson Spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi "Snapper Creek")

Remarks: Melanotaenia duboulayi, or Crimson Spotted Rainbows from Snapper Creek, get their name from the bright red spot on the gill plate. This color is seen further down the body as it develops into line stripes on males, ending at the caudal peduncle. They are found on the eastern shore of Australia in New South Wales and Queensland. They are typically found in still or slow-moving bodies of water near floating vegetation.  The fish are omnivorous and should be fed a quality flake food with supplemental proteins such as baby brine shrimp. They require clean water but tolerate a wide variety of water parameters. By providing frequent water changes, you will be rewarded with nearly continuous spawning attempts. Melanotaenia species deposit eggs in weedy areas (often mimicked by a yarn mop) and the eggs hatch 7-10 days later. Eggs can be harvested for hatching in separate tanks to avoid predation. Most Rainbows show their best colors at sunrise, when the males display their bright fins