{"product_id":"utchee-creek-rainbow-no-online-purchases","title":"Utchee Creek Rainbow (No Online Purchases)","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(No Online Purchases)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish (\u003cem\u003eMelanotaenia utcheensis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Utchee Creek Rainbowfish is a beautiful and uncommon Australian rainbowfish admired for its brilliant colours, peaceful nature, and active schooling behaviour. Endemic to the clear rainforest streams of North Queensland, this species develops vibrant blue-green body colouring with striking orange to red fins, particularly in mature males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell suited to peaceful community aquariums, Utchee Creek Rainbowfish are hardy, easy to care for, and display their best colours when kept in groups in a well-planted aquarium with excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Utchee Creek Rainbowfish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMelanotaenia utcheensis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Melanotaeniidae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Utchee Creek, North Queensland, Australia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful, Schooling\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 litres for a small group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–10 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–8 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish have an elongated, laterally compressed body with iridescent blue to turquoise scales that shimmer under aquarium lighting. Mature males develop deeper bodies and display brilliant orange to red fins, often with yellow highlights and darker edging. Females are generally smaller and less colourful but remain attractive with their subtle silver-blue tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir vibrant colours become most intense when kept in groups, fed a varied diet, and housed in ideal water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish are peaceful, energetic schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least six. They are active swimmers and display natural social behaviours when maintained in larger schools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther Australian rainbowfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBristlenose Catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful gouramis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDwarf cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall loaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping them with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAggressive cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFin-nipping species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery large predatory fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow-moving long-finned fish that may become stressed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAquarium Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish thrive in well-planted aquariums with plenty of open swimming space. Dense vegetation around the sides and back of the aquarium provides security, while driftwood and rocks help recreate their natural rainforest stream habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood filtration, regular water changes, and stable water quality are essential. Moderate water flow and subdued lighting with floating plants can further enhance their comfort and colouration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Water Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5–7.8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–15 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClean, well-oxygenated water is important to maintain their health and vibrant colours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish are omnivores and readily accept a wide variety of foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecommended foods include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality flakes or micro pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen brine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaphnia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBloodworms (occasionally)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive blackworms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsect larvae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpirulina-based foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA varied diet rich in quality protein helps maximise colouration, breeding condition, and overall health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBehaviour\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish are constantly active, spending much of the day swimming through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. Males regularly display to one another by extending their fins and intensifying their colours, particularly during breeding season. These displays are harmless and add plenty of movement and interest to the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtchee Creek Rainbowfish are relatively easy to breed in the home aquarium. They are egg scatterers that deposit adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe eggs typically hatch after 7–12 days depending on temperature. Newly hatched fry require very small foods such as infusoria or commercially prepared fry food before progressing to freshly hatched brine shrimp and finely crushed flakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Utchee Creek Rainbowfish?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStunning Australian native species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrilliant blue body with vibrant orange-red fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful and ideal for community aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy and easy to care for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent schooling behaviour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelatively easy to breed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest colours develop with age and proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep Utchee Creek Rainbowfish in groups of at least six to encourage natural schooling behaviour and reduce stress. Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes, provide a well-planted aquarium with open swimming areas, and feed a varied, high-quality diet. Stable conditions and good nutrition will reward you with outstanding colouration and active, healthy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freshwater Fish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46594919301290,"sku":"TF321","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0325\/1250\/7948\/files\/imageiscoming_2f916227-bc80-4cea-8a24-f85ba6f0d73a.jpg?v=1785301646","url":"https:\/\/www.thetechden.com.au\/products\/utchee-creek-rainbow-no-online-purchases","provider":"The Tech Den ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}