Lake Kurumoi Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia parva) Care Guide
Melanotaenia parva is a small rainbowfish endemic to Lake Kurumoi in West Papua, listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Melanotaenia parva is a small rainbowfish of the family Melanotaeniidae. According to FishBase it reaches about 6.7 cm standard length and has a fusiform body. The species is endemic to a single locality, the small Lake Kurumoi on the Bird's Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, where mature males develop a deep red body with contrasting fin margins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Melanotaeniidae
- Genus: Melanotaenia
- Scientific name: Melanotaenia parva
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Lake Kurumoi within the Yakati River watershed at roughly 400 m elevation in mountainous terrain. Wikipedia notes its natural habitat is limited to this single lake, which makes the wild population extremely localised.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 10-25 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 2.9, consistent with an omnivorous rainbowfish diet. In aquaria it accepts a varied menu of quality dry foods supplemented with small live and frozen invertebrates.
Compatibility
A peaceful mid-water schooling species best kept in groups of eight or more. It mixes well with other rainbowfish of similar size and disposition; avoid boisterous or aggressive tankmates that may outcompete it at feeding time.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (assessed 2020), with the wild population possibly extinct. Habitat loss is the primary threat, and it is unknown whether the natural population at Lake Kurumoi still survives.
Lake Kurumoi Rainbowfish Breeding Guide
Overview
Melanotaenia parva is a rainbowfish endemic to Lake Kurumoi in the Yakati River watershed of West Papua, Indonesia, sitting at around 400 m elevation in a lake without visible natural drainage according to FishBase. It reaches about 6.7 cm standard length. FishBase lists it as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2019), which makes captive breeding particularly valuable.
Sexing
As in other Melanotaenia, males are the larger and more intensely coloured sex, deepening in body and colour with maturity, while females remain plainer. A male can be set up with one or more females for spawning.
Conditioning
FishBase records a trophic level of about 2.9, consistent with an omnivorous diet. Conditioning the adults on a varied diet of small live, frozen and prepared foods readies them for spawning.
Breeding Setup
FishBase notes distinct pairing during reproduction for this species. Like other rainbowfish it spawns over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops that provide attachment for the adhesive eggs. The consulted source does not give specific captive temperature or pH figures, which are therefore omitted.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase describes the species as forming distinct pairs during reproduction. In the genus the female releases adhesive eggs that attach to plants over a period, rather than scattering all eggs at once; eggs released over successive days are typical of Melanotaenia rainbowfish.
Egg & Fry Care
The adhesive eggs hang on the spawning medium and can be moved to a separate container to protect them. Newly hatched rainbowfish fry are very small and need fine first foods such as infusoria or commercial fry food before Artemia nauplii. Specific incubation and fry data for this species are not given in the consulted source and are therefore omitted.
Common Challenges
Because the species is Critically Endangered with a single tiny natural range, maintaining a genetically diverse captive population is important. The usual rainbowfish bottleneck of tiny first-feeding fry applies, requiring very small live or prepared foods.