Dwarf Rainbow

By: Yvonne Garcia
 
Common Name: Dwarf Rainbow
Latin Name: Melanotaenia Maccullochi aka Nematocentris maccullochi
Origin: Northern Australia
Temperature: 70-78°F
Ease Of Keeping: Easy
Aggressivness: Peaceful
Adult Size: 2.8" (7cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 20
Feeding: Worms, bbs, flake food
Spawning Method: Egg layer (by scattering)
 
Comments:

• Males are much more colorful with a pointed first dorsal fin.
• Frequent water changes and live foods will bring out the best colors in both male and females.
• Salt - a teaspoon per gallon of water would be appreciated by your dwarf rainbows.

Dwarf rainbows are a schooling fish---they will do much better in a group of their own consisting of 5 or more. They will go about the tank in their own direction, but will school tighter while under stress, or in the presence of dither fish. They swim in the middle to upper stratus of the tank, but will venture to the bottom if in search of food (i.e., algae tab). For breeding, it is almost a must to have fine featherly-like plants for the female to scatter her eggs about. The male will exhibit bolder colors while chasing the female around.

The Rainbow you have photographed is not M.mccullochi. Mccullochi are not a deep bodied Rainbow and they do not exhibit the colours of your specimen. Your Rainbow is a M. Splendida Inornata variety.. likely a cross. Regards