Description
Boeseman’s Rainbow (Melanotaenia boesemani)
Overview
Melanotaenia boesemani, commonly known as Boeseman’s rainbowfish, is a vibrant freshwater fish from the Melanotaeniidae family, endemic to the Ayamaru Lakes and surrounding tributaries in the Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia. Renowned for its striking bicolour pattern—bright orange-red on the anterior half and deep blue-green on the posterior in mature males—it grows to 9–11.5 cm. Females and juveniles are duller, with silvery bodies and faint yellow hues. Critically endangered in the wild due to overcollection and habitat loss, most aquarium specimens are captive-bred. Their active, peaceful shoaling nature makes them ideal for community tanks, though they require spacious setups and pristine water.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 113L for a group of 6–8; 210L or larger preferred for optimal shoaling and swimming space. Base dimensions of at least 120 x 30 cm recommended.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 25–28°C; optimal 26–28°C for breeding.
- pH: 7.0–8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline).
- Hardness: 8–20 dGH (moderately hard to hard).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <30 ppm (ideally <15 ppm, as they are sensitive to nitrates).
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand; darker substrates enhance colouration.
- Décor: Dense live plants (e.g., Vallisneria, Java fern, Anubias) and floating plants for cover. Add driftwood or rocks for structure, ensuring ample open swimming space.
- Filtration: Moderate to strong flow (4–10x tank volume/hour) with high oxygenation to mimic lake tributaries; use canister or hang-on-back filters.
- Lighting: Moderate to bright to highlight iridescence; floating plants provide shade.
- Other: Tight-fitting lid essential, as they are strong jumpers.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20–30% weekly with dechlorinated water matching tank parameters to maintain stability and low nitrates.
- Tank Cleaning: Siphon uneaten food and debris; lightly vacuum substrate to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Testing: Weekly monitoring of pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate using a reliable test kit to prevent fluctuations.
- Equipment Check: Ensure filters provide adequate flow and oxygenation, heaters maintain stable temperatures, and lid is secure to prevent escapes.
Diet
- Type: Omnivorous; feeds on small crustaceans, insects, algae, and plant matter in the wild.
- Foods:
- Dry: High-quality flakes or pellets (e.g., Fluval Bug Bites, Hikari Tropical Pellets) as a staple.
- Live/Frozen: Brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, mysis shrimp (2–3 times weekly for colour enhancement).
- Plant-Based: Spirulina flakes, blanched vegetables (e.g., spinach, zucchini) for digestion.
- Feeding: Small portions 2–3 times daily, consumed within 1–2 minutes to prevent overfeeding.
- Notes: Varied diet enhances vibrant colouration and health. They feed at mid-to-surface levels; ensure food is appropriately sized.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Temperament: Peaceful but active; males may spar harmlessly during displays but rarely cause injury.
- Social Behaviour: Shoaling species; keep 6–8 or more (1–2 females per male) to reduce stress and encourage schooling and male displays. Fewer than 6 may lead to shyness or aggression.
- Compatible Tankmates:
- Peaceful, active fish: Other rainbowfish (e.g., Melanotaenia praecox), tetras, rasboras, danios, barbs.
- Bottom-dwellers: Corydoras catfish, kuhli loaches, bristlenose plecos.
- Incompatible: Aggressive or fin-nipping fish (e.g., tiger barbs, serpae tetras), slow-moving or long-finned fish (e.g., bettas, angelfish), or species requiring soft, acidic water.
- Notes: Provide open swimming space and dense plants for refuge. Males display best in groups with females present.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Type: Egg scatterers; spawn daily in small batches over plants or spawning mops.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
