Lake Tebera Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi) Care Guide
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi is a golden-yellow rainbowfish endemic to the Lake Tebera basin in Papua New Guinea, assessed by the IUCN as Vulnerable.
Overview
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi is a rainbowfish of the family Melanotaeniidae, with FishBase listing a maximum length of about 15 cm. The species epithet honours the pet-book publisher Herbert R. Axelrod (1927-2017). Adult males show a golden-yellow body crossed by a dark longitudinal stripe.
Taxonomy
- Family: Melanotaeniidae
- Genus: Melanotaenia
- Scientific name: Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
Habitat
The species is endemic to the Lake Tebera basin in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. FishBase records it from highland lakes and streams at about 793 m elevation, surrounded by steep mountains, with one specimen documented around 38 km north at Karamui.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 10-25 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 2.9, consistent with an omnivorous diet. In the aquarium it readily takes quality dry foods alongside frozen and live invertebrates such as daphnia and brine shrimp.
Compatibility
A peaceful, active mid-water swimmer that should be maintained in a shoal of at least eight. It is well suited to spacious community tanks with similarly sized, non-aggressive species and other rainbowfish.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (assessed 2019, criterion D2), reflecting its restricted range within a single highland basin.