Description:
The Western Rainbowfish from the Drysdale River is a beautiful and interesting variant of a popular Australian native fish, well-suited for a peaceful community aquarium with appropriate care.
-
TheWestern Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) has several regional variations, and the population from the Drysdale River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of them. Here's what's known about the Western Rainbowfish from the Drysdale River:
Appearance:
- Generally, Western Rainbowfish have a silvery to olive-green base color.
- They typically display one or two broad, dark mid-lateral stripes.
- Along each scale row, there are often narrow yellow to reddish stripes.
- A distinctive feature of the Drysdale River variant is that they are generally smaller in stature compared to other Western Rainbowfish populations.
- They also possess a noticeable double mid-lateral black stripe.
- Fins can range from nearly colorless to deep red or clear with red or green flecks.
Habitat in the Drysdale River:
- Western Rainbowfish are native to the Drysdale River system in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia.
- They inhabit freshwater rivers, creeks, streams, swamps, and billabongs.
- They often form large groups in marginal areas with dense vegetation and submerged logs or branches.
- They are commonly found in still or slow-flowing conditions, near the surface or around cover.
Aquarium Care:
- Tank Size: A longer tank of at least 4 feet (around 120 liters or 30 gallons) is recommended due to their active swimming habits. A secure lid is essential as they are known jumpers.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5 (some sources mention a broader range of 5.8-9.0 is tolerated)
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (50-150 ppm or 2-15 dGH)
- Substrate: A dark substrate is often recommended to mimic their natural habitat and can help enhance their colors.
- Plants and Decorations: They appreciate a well-planted aquarium with medium to large plants, including floating plants, and open swimming spaces. Rocks and wood can provide hiding places.
- Lighting: They come from shaded environments, so dimmer lighting is preferred. Adjustable LED lighting is ideal.
- Filtration: Good water quality and flow are important. Ensure adequate filtration.
- Temperament: They are peaceful community fish that should be kept in groups of at least six or more.
- Tank Mates: Suitable tank mates include other peaceful fish of similar size, such as Corydoras catfish, Bristlenose catfish, Platies, Mollies, and Tetras. Avoid large or aggressive species.
- Diet: They are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake or pellet food, supplemented with live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and worms. Vegetable matter is also beneficial.
Breeding:
- Western Rainbowfish are egg scatterers.
- In the aquarium, provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops as a spawning substrate.
- Adults may eat the eggs, so it's best to either remove the parents after spawning or move the spawning media to a separate hatching tank.
- Eggs typically hatch in 7-10 days, depending on the temperature.
- Fry are small and initially require very fine food like infusoria or liquid fry food, followed by newly hatched brine shrimp.
-
