Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) Care Guide

A stunningly colored rainbowfish with a two-tone blue body — deep cobalt blue on top transitioning to bright turquoise below.

Overview

Melanotaenia lacustris is a species in the family Melanotaeniidae. A stunningly colored rainbowfish with a two-tone blue body — deep cobalt blue on top transitioning to bright turquoise below. One of the most beautiful rainbowfish species, endemic to Lake Kutubu in Papua New Guinea.

Taxonomy

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Genus: Melanotaenia
Scientific name: Melanotaenia lacustris
Other names: Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
Origin: Oceania, Papua New Guinea

Habitat

Endemic to Lake Kutubu and its outflow into the Soro River, a karst lake at about 800 m elevation in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to introduced species and habitat change.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 150 L
Temperature: 22-26 °C
pH: 7-8.5
GH: 10-20 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 8-12 cm
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Recommended group size: ≥ 6
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Boesemani Rainbow, Corydoras, Bristlenose Pleco, Cherry Barb
Avoid with: Small Nano Fish, Aggressive Cichlids

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: intermediate