Tankwise

A small, peaceful rainbowfish with a pale-blue sheen; suits a planted community.

  • Temperature22–26 °C
  • pH6.5–7.5
  • Minimum tank70 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodFlake + frozen food
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The neon dwarf rainbowfish is a small, peaceful shoaler with a pale-blue, almost neon sheen and, on the males, red flashes in the fins. It is active but gentle, swimming in the open with a group and displaying to its companions without aggression. In a group of six or more it looks at its best among plants, and it is one of the tougher, easier rainbowfish, settling quickly in a stable tank.

What to feed, and how often

Flake, micro-pellet and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brineshrimp all suit it. Feed once or twice a day and vary the diet, which keeps the blue sheen bright and the males' red fin colour strong. It is unfussy and takes food at any level.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly, matched closely. It tolerates a range of water and is among the hardiest rainbows, but it still appreciates a stable, well-filtered tank with some open swimming space.

Care and how easy it is

An easy, hardy small rainbow that suits a planted community. Keep a group of six or more, give it open water and the occasional plant, and it stays colourful and active.

Common health problems

Robust; ich appears mainly after a chill or a move.

If it gets sick

Quarantine new arrivals, keep the water warm and clean, 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

Best avoided with

Similar species

Boesemani rainbowfishIntermediate
Boesemani rainbowfishMelanotaenia boesemani
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6.8–8
  • 120 L+
Rainbowfish · Peaceful · Omnivore
Australian rainbowfishBeginner
Australian rainbowfishMelanotaenia fluviatilis
  • 20–27°C
  • pH 6.5–8.5
  • 100 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

ParametersNeon dwarf rainbowfishBoesemani rainbowfishAustralian rainbowfishThreadfin rainbowfish
Parameters
Temp22–26 °C24–28 °C20–27 °C24–28 °C
pH6.5–7.56.8–86.5–8.56–7.5
GH5–15 °dGH8–20 °dGH8–20 °dGH2–12 °dGH
Min. tank70 L120 L100 L50 L
Size6 cm10 cm10 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.GuideFishless Cycling: The Kindest Way to Start a TankFishless cycling builds the filter's bacteria before any fish goes in, so your first fish never lives through toxic water. Here is how to do it.

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.