Tankwise

A hardy, colourful rainbowfish that tolerates a wide range, including cooler water.

  • Temperature20–27 °C
  • pH6.5–8.5
  • Minimum tank100 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodFlake/pellet + frozen
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The Australian rainbowfish is an active, peaceful shoaler that uses the full length of the tank, with males flashing side-on to one another as their colours deepen with age. It is one of the toughest rainbowfish and settles quickly, and in a group of six or more it looks its best, its iridescent scales shifting in the light. It likes some current and open swimming space rather than dense planting.

What to feed, and how often

An omnivore: a good flake or pellet plus frozen bloodworm, brineshrimp and mysis, with the odd vegetable. Feed once or twice a day, matching the amount to its medium size, and vary the diet to keep the colours strong.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly, matched closely. It tolerates a wide range, including cooler water, but being a fair-sized, active fish it produces a fair amount of waste, so strong filtration and clean water keep it in condition.

Care and how easy it is

A great beginner rainbow for a longer tank; hardy in harder water and untroubled by cooler temperatures, provided it has a group and room to swim.

Common health problems

Prone to ich after transport; otherwise robust.

If it gets sick

Quarantine new arrivals, keep the water clean and stable, and treat ich early with warmth and medication.

Good tank mates

GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
Neon tetraIntermediate; stable group aquarium
Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
  • 21-25 C
  • pH 6.0-7.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Boesemani rainbowfishIntermediate
Boesemani rainbowfishMelanotaenia boesemani
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6.8–8
  • 120 L+
Rainbowfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Neon dwarf rainbowfishBeginner
Neon dwarf rainbowfishMelanotaenia praecox
  • 22–26°C
  • pH 6.5–7.5
  • 70 L+
Rainbowfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Threadfin rainbowfishIntermediate
Threadfin rainbowfishIriatherina werneri
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 50 L+
Rainbowfish · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersAustralian rainbowfishBoesemani rainbowfishNeon dwarf rainbowfishThreadfin rainbowfish
Parameters
Temp20–27 °C24–28 °C22–26 °C24–28 °C
pH6.5–8.56.8–86.5–7.56–7.5
GH8–20 °dGH8–20 °dGH5–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH
Min. tank100 L120 L70 L50 L
Size10 cm10 cm6 cm4 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerIntermediateBeginnerIntermediate

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.