Turquoise Rainbow Melanotaenia lacustris

Common Name Turquoise Rainbow

Other Common Names Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish

Scientific Name Melanotaenia lacustris

Family Melanotaeniidae

Community Semi-Aggressive

Class Danio

Temperature 78 ºF

Swimming Range Top-Middle

Adult Length 3-4 inches

Feeding Habits Live fish, blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp and tubifex worms. Frozen plankton, beef heart, brine shrimp, glass worms and blood worms. Freeze dried and flake foods also accepted.

Compatibility An active, peaceful and schooling fish that mixes well with the same sized active fish. Not recommended for any aquarium with slow moving fish.

Habitat New Guinea: Moderately decorated with rocks, live plants and driftwood.

Breeding The male has a higher back and is intensely colored, while the female is very pale in color. They are egglayers.

Additional Comments When the fry hatch they have no body color and are clear. When the fry reach 2 inches in size they will start to develop body color. When the fish reach about one year in age their color will really intensify.