Aptly named for the variety of colors each fish has, a rainbowfish is one of the prettiest freshwater fish to add to your aquarium. In addition to being lively and colorful, rainbowfish have some interesting characteristics as well. If you’re considering adding them to your tank, following are some rainbowfish facts you might want to know.

Fun and Helpful Rainbowfish Facts

● There are more than 50 types of rainbowfish, including neon dwarf rainbowfish, threadfin rainbowfish, Madagascar rainbowfish, and red rainbowfish.
● Like high-quality wine and parmigiano reggiano, rainbowfish only get better with age. Their colors become more vibrant. Infant rainbowfish are actually a silvery-white color.
● Male rainbowfish can be competitive with other males within their species. For that reason, you might want to consider minimizing potential conflicts in your aquarium by limiting the number of male rainbowfish you have in it.

Lake Kutubu rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris)

● They can turn red with fury or green with envy, quite literally. If they’re uncomfortable, sick, or feeling competitive, their colors can deepen. Being stressed out is not really good for their health, though, so you should aim to keep the freshwater aquarium as harmonious and peaceful as possible.
● Like introverted extroverts, the fish enjoy socializing with other fish, but need peace and quiet through the shelter of rocks and plants every now and then.
● They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. Giving them flake food is just fine; in the wild, they tend to eat insects that are floating on the surface of swamps, rivers, and lakes anyway.
● They can be found in regions including parts of Australia, Indonesia, and Madagascar.
● Melanotaenia are the largest rainbowfish.
● The fish only grow to about 8 inches long, and some only grow to about 2 inches. The average fish is about 4 inches long.
● Their lifespan varies depending on the species, but many live for up to five years.
● Rainbowfish can be members of several different families, including Atherinidae, Pseudomugilidae, Telmatheriidae, and Melanotaeniidae.
● The Boeseman’s Rainbowfish is an endangered species.
● How you perceive a fish’s color may vary depending on how the light hits the fish.

See Our Website for More Fish Facts

For more facts about freshwater fish, freshwater aquariums, aquarium maintenance, fish tank water quality, and more, see our Seatech Aquariums blog page.

If you’re interested in redesigning your aquarium or starting one from scratch, we can help. Contact us today to get started.