Red Rainbowfish care guide
Red Rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 22-27 °C, pH 7-8.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Red Rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) is a large melanotaeniid endemic to Lake Sentani in Papua, Indonesia. Mature males develop brilliant red bodies; females and juveniles are silvery-olive.
Taxonomy
- Family: Melanotaeniidae
- Genus: Glossolepis
- Scientific name: Glossolepis incisus
- Common synonyms: Glossolepis Rainbowfish
Habitat
Endemic to Lake Sentani and its tributaries in Papua, Indonesia, in hard, slightly alkaline water with dense aquatic vegetation around the shoreline.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 10-15 cm
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 7-8
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An omnivore. Offer pellets, flakes and a variety of live or frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia). A varied diet supports colour development.
Compatibility
A peaceful active schooling species. Keep a group of at least six in a long aquarium of 200 L or more. Compatible with other large rainbowfish, peaceful catfish and similarly sized active community species.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer. Females release small batches of adhesive eggs daily over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops; eggs incubate for around 7-10 days.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Wild populations in Lake Sentani are threatened by introduced fish and habitat degradation; aquarium specimens today are mostly captive-bred.
Red Rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Glossolepis incisus is native to Lake Sentani in northern New Guinea and reaches about 15 cm standard length. It is quite easy to breed, laying eggs over an extended period onto fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.
Sexing
Mature males develop a much higher back than females, and only males develop the characteristic red colouration that gives the fish its common name. Temperature affects colour: at slightly lower temperatures all males turn red, whereas in warmer water only the dominant fish tend to do so.
Conditioning
The adults are best conditioned in a group in a separate aquarium with plenty of live and frozen foods. Once conditioned, select the fattest pair for spawning and introduce them to the spawning tank.
Breeding Setup
Use a spawning tank of at least about 75 cm in length with slightly hard, alkaline water around pH 7.5 and a temperature of roughly 21-24 °C. Include fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and a small air-powered filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair spawn over a period of several weeks, laying a few eggs each day. The eggs are attached to surfaces such as the plants or mops by a small thread.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs hatch in 7-8 days. Remove the eggs daily to a separate rearing tank. The fry initially require infusoria-type foods, graduating to microworms or brine shrimp nauplii after one week. They are quite sensitive to unfavourable water conditions, so frequent small water changes are essential.
Common Challenges
Daily transfer of egg-laden mops to a rearing tank is the practical key to good yields, preventing the eggs being eaten. Because the fry are sensitive to water quality, maintaining clean, stable water with frequent small changes is the main ongoing demand.