Edit Melanotaenia gracilis
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Name
Scientific name
Melanotaenia gracilis
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Common names
Slender Rainbowfish
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
The slender rainbowfish, Melanotaenia gracilis, is a small rainbowfish from the Drysdale and Carson Rivers in the Kimberley, north-western …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
75mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 7–8
Hardness
10–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Australia
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
North Western Australia. So far, it has been recorded only from the Drysdale and Carson Rivers in the Kimberley area.
Habitat
Slow-moving areas of these rivers. It's also found isolated in surrounding pools during the dry season. The water in these habitats is typically very clear.
Aquarium size
75 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~68 litres.
Maintenance
Unlke many other members of the genus, the natural habitat of M. gracilis is quite sparse and rocky. A biotope aquarium would thus consist of a gravel substrat…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 28 °C pH: 7.0-8.0 Hardness: 10-20°H
Diet
Unfussy and will accept most dried, frozen and live foods. Regular feedings of the latter will help to ensure the fish exhibit their best colours.
Behaviour and compatibility
This is one of the smaller rainbowfish and is very peaceful. Good tankmates include other similarly-sized rainbowfish, characins, danios, barbs, freshwater gob…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature males are larger and exhibit brighter colouration than females. They also develop a deeper body than females as they grow.
Reproduction
No information available, although we assume it has been achieved. It probably breeds in a similar fashion to other species in the genus, although the lack of …
Notes
This uniquely-shaped rainbow is an uncommonly seen species in the hobby, mainly because it hails from such a remote area in Australia. It is currently listed o…
References
References
No references