Boeseman's Rainbowfish (Juvenile)

Special offer 5 for £25.00
This discount will be applied automatically at checkout.

Boesman's Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) are a species of Rainbowfish endemic to the Ajamaru and Aitinjo Lakes in Western Papua, Indonesia.

When mature adults, these fish have a striking half-and-half colour pattern of blue and yellow down the centre of their body. The Males display this more prominently with the Females and Juveniles being more monotone and less vibrant.

Habitat

In the wild, Boeseman's Rainbowfish inhabit the waterways of the Ajamaru and Aitinjo Lakes in Western Papua. These lakes are calm and dense with vegetation which is perfect for large shoals of these beautiful fish.

They are a gregarious shoaling fish.

Male specimens of this species are larger and far more colourful, with deeper bodies. When they are in prime condition for breeding, they display a stripe across the top of their foreheads.

Females are slightly smaller and far less colourful. They tend to be a monotonous silvery white, but some times do display some yellow around the back half although this is nowhere near as vibrant as the Males.

Juveniles look similar to the adult Females, with the Male developing his bright colour pattern as he reaches maturity.

A comfortable temperature for these fish is between 26°C - 30°C.

Size

Our specimens currently measure approx. 2cm - 3cm

This species' maximum size typically reaches approx. 13cm

Aquarium

We recommend an aquarium with a minimum capacity of 90 Litres. The more fish you have, the more space they will require in which to thrive.

These are very peaceful fish that do well in a community aquarium with other fish of similar size and temperament. 

Boesman's Rainbowfish thrive when in a group of at least 6 fish as they are a shoaling fish, and more members of the shoal make them feeler safer and behave with more confidence.

Boesman's Rainbowfish tend to look best in a properly aquascaped tank, where their shoaling behaviour and vibrant colours make a beautiful centre piece.

The aquarium should be longer than it is wide, and planted on the ends and back wall. The central area should be left open for swimming space. This will help your fish feel more at home.

The tank should be well established to avoid any surprise changes in water parameters that may upset or be otherwise detrimental to the fish.

Feed with flakes, granule, or small frozen meaty foods such as daphnia, cyclops, and mosquito larvae.

pH levels should fall between the 6.5 - 8 range.
Hardness should fall between 5 - 20 dGH

Behaviour

This peaceful fish gets along with most species of similar size. The larger their shoal is, the more beautiful the display.

Boesman's Rainbowfish is comfortable at a slightly higher temperature than a lot of other fish of a similar size. Please be sure that any tank mates will be happy to share these warmer conditions.

This is a freshwater species - Do not put them in a marine / saltwater aquarium.