TankHaven
Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

freshwatereasy to keepfishpeacefulswims midmay eat shrimp

Active swimmers that need a long tank; the blue-and-orange colours take a year or two to develop. Buy captive-bred: wild populations are endangered.

Adult size
4 in
Smallest tank
55 gal
Keep them in groups of
6+
Temperature
75–82 °F
pH · hardness
7–8 · 8–20 dGH
Food
Omnivore: flakes, pellets, frozen foods
Start a freshwater build to add this

Gets along with

Chili RasboraNerite SnailRamshorn SnailMalaysian Trumpet SnailAssassin SnailGhost ShrimpBetta (male)Ember Tetra

Think twice about

Cherry Shrimp — shrimp it would huntBlue Dream Shrimp — shrimp it would huntGreen Neon Tetra — needs pH 4.5–6.5White Cloud Mountain Minnow — needs 60–72 °FCrystal Red Shrimp — needs 66–74 °FTiger Shrimp — shrimp it would hunt

Easy plants for the same tank

Temple PlantWater WisteriaAmazon SwordRed Tiger LotusCryptocoryne BalansaeJungle Val

Care ranges are typical hobby guidance and vary by source and by where the animal came from. Ask your supplier and watch your own tank. Spot a mistake on this page? Let me know.