Checkered Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida inornata) Care Guide
Melanotaenia splendida inornata is the northern Australian subspecies of M. splendida, a peaceful schooling rainbowfish with checker-pattern scales and golden sheen.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Melanotaenia splendida inornata, the chequered rainbowfish, is the northern Australian subspecies of M. splendida, a member of the family Melanotaeniidae. It is recognisable by its checker-pattern scales and golden body sheen in adult males. The subspecies was described by Castelnau in 1875.
Taxonomy
- Family: Melanotaeniidae
- Genus: Melanotaenia
- Scientific name: Melanotaenia splendida inornata
- Described by: Castelnau, 1875 (subspecies)
Habitat
This subspecies occurs across northern Australia, from the Mary River east to the Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands. It inhabits deeper pools in freshwater streams, as well as lakes and reservoirs, and forms large schools.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 8-25 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
A large aquarium with open swimming space, moderate flow and robust plants suits this active fish, which tolerates varying water clarity and vegetation levels.
Diet
An omnivore, it feeds on filamentous algae, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small crustaceans and invertebrates, accepting prepared foods in captivity.
Compatibility
A peaceful, mid-water schooling fish that mixes well with other rainbowfish and loaches. Aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
Spawning occurs year-round with about 60-70 golden eggs per event, attached by adhesive filaments to vegetation; larvae hatch after roughly one week at about 4 mm.
Checkered Rainbowfish Breeding Guide
Overview
Melanotaenia splendida inornata, the checkered or chequered rainbowfish, is the northern Australian subspecies of M. splendida, found from the Mary River east to Cape York Peninsula and south to the Jardine River, plus some Torres Strait Islands, according to Wikipedia. As part of M. splendida it is a pairing plant-spawner; the parent species reaches up to about 20 cm standard length per FishBase.
Sexing
Males are the larger, more colourful and deeper-bodied sex, while females are plainer. A male with one or more females makes a suitable spawning group.
Conditioning
M. splendida is omnivorous, taking filamentous algae, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small crustaceans and other invertebrates according to Wikipedia. A varied diet conditions the adults; FishBase notes maturity at roughly 3-4 cm.
Breeding Setup
FishBase lists 20-30 C, pH 6.0-8.0 and hardness 10-30 dH for the species. Spawning is carried out over fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or submerged roots that provide attachment for the adhesive eggs, and breeding takes place year round.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
According to Wikipedia the male and female form pairs in which the female releases eggs and the male fertilises them; 60-70 golden, round eggs are laid at each spawning and attach to submerged vegetation by an adhesive filament. FishBase cites a total fecundity of around 370 eggs released over a series of spawnings.
Egg & Fry Care
Wikipedia reports that the larvae hatch after around a week, are about 4 mm long with a reduced yolk sac and fully formed mouth and pectoral fins, and start to feed after 24 hours. Egg-laden plants or mops can be moved to a rearing container, and the small fry require very fine first foods such as infusoria before Artemia nauplii.
Common Challenges
The chief difficulty is the very small size of newly hatched fry, which need fine first foods. Removing egg-bearing mops protects the scattered eggs from being eaten by the adults.
Eastern Splendid Rainbowfish Breeding Guide
Overview
Melanotaenia splendida splendida is the eastern subspecies of the splendid rainbowfish, occurring in eastern Queensland rivers from the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula south to the Dawson River according to Wikipedia. The species reaches up to about 20 cm standard length per FishBase, though most aquarium fish are smaller. It is a pairing plant-spawner.
Sexing
Males of the species are the larger, more colourful sex with deeper bodies, while females are plainer. A male can be set up with one or more females for spawning.
Conditioning
The species is omnivorous, feeding on filamentous algae, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small crustaceans and other invertebrates according to Wikipedia. FishBase records reproductive maturity at roughly 3-4 cm. A varied diet conditions the adults for breeding.
Breeding Setup
FishBase lists 20-30 C, pH 6.0-8.0 and hardness 10-30 dH for the species. Spawning is carried out over fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or Melaleuca-type roots, which provide attachment for the adhesive eggs. Breeding takes place year round.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
According to Wikipedia the male and female form pairs in which the female releases eggs and the male fertilises them; 60-70 golden, round eggs are laid at each spawning and attach to submerged vegetation by an adhesive filament. FishBase cites a total fecundity of around 370 eggs released over a series of spawnings.
Egg & Fry Care
Wikipedia reports the larvae hatch after around a week, are about 4 mm long with a reduced yolk sac and fully formed mouth and pectoral fins, and start to feed after 24 hours. The egg-laden plants or mops can be moved to a separate rearing container, and the small fry require very fine first foods such as infusoria before Artemia nauplii.
Common Challenges
As with other rainbowfish, the main difficulty is the tiny size of newly hatched fry, which need very small first foods. Removing egg-bearing mops protects the scattered eggs from predation.