The Hilda Creek Rainbow, scientifically known as Melanotaenia sp. "Hilda Ck", is a beautiful and sought-after colour variant of the Banded Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata).
Appearance:
- The Hilda Creek Rainbow is renowned for its striking colours. Typically, they display deep red striations along their body, extending into their fins, which are also a rich red.
- This vibrant red is often contrasted by blue highlights and a prominent dark horizontal stripe running along their flanks.
- As adults, particularly the males, they develop an intense and captivating colouration.
- Like other Melanotaenia trifasciata variants, males will be larger and more intensely coloured than females, often developing a deeper body shape and longer dorsal and anal fins as they mature.
Natural Habitat:
- As the name suggests, this specific colour morph originates from Hilda Creek, which is likely a specific collection point within the broader distribution of Melanotaenia trifasciata in northern Australia.
Aquarium Care:
- Minimum Tank Size: For a school of Hilda Creek Rainbows, a tank of at least 110 litres (around 30 gallons) is recommended. Being active swimmers, they appreciate a longer tank.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 24-33°C (75-91°F), with the mid-range being ideal. You'll likely need a heater during cooler months to maintain stability.
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- Hardness: 8-20 dKH (moderately hard to hard)
- Aquascaping: A densely planted tank with open swimming areas is ideal. The plants provide security and mimic their natural environment. Driftwood and other decorations can also be included. A darker substrate can help to enhance their colours.
- Water Flow: A slow to moderate water flow is suitable.
- Lighting: Standard aquarium lighting will suffice to showcase their colours.
- Social Behaviour: Hilda Creek Rainbows are peaceful and active schooling fish. They should be kept in groups of at least 6-8 individuals to feel secure and display their best colours and natural behaviours. Keeping more males will lead to more vibrant displays as they subtly compete for female attention.
- Temperament: They are generally peaceful towards other fish but can sometimes outcompete smaller or slower-moving fish for food due to their active nature.
- Diet: They are omnivores and readily accept a varied diet. Offer high-quality flake or pellet food as a staple, supplemented with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to enhance their colours and health.
Breeding:
- Breeding Hilda Creek Rainbows is achievable in the aquarium.
- A separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops is recommended.
- The male will display intense colours during spawning, guiding the female to lay eggs.
- The eggs are typically attached to plants or spawning mops.
- Adults may eat the eggs, so removing them after spawning is advisable.
- The fry hatch in about 7-12 days, depending on the temperature, and can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food initially, followed by baby brine shrimp.
