Melanotaenia sexlineata
 

79°F
Explanation of the symbols

75°F

Family : Melanotaeniidae
Origin : Papua New Guinea
Length : 7 cm - 3"
Min.length aquarium : 80 cm - 30"
English name : Fly River rainbowfish
Peaceful schooling fish that you can keep in a special aquarium for rainbow fishes.  He is also suitable for the community aquarium with other peaceful fishes.  The aquarium should be planted densely on the sides and background.  In the middle you should leave a lot of free swimming space,  A dark substrate and a dimmed light by using floating plants bring out the colours of the fish.  A good filter and a regular changing of the water are necessary.

He is omnivorous.  You should give him a great variety of live, frozen and dry food.

Breeding is easy.  The eggs are laid and fertilized between fine leaved plants daily.  The eggs hatch after 7-10 days dependent on the temperature.  When the young fishes are swimming free you can feed them with very small infusoria and later with Artemia-nauplii and fine crushed eggyolk.  The quality of the young fishes is sometimes very bad.  A severe selection is recommended.

Photo Credit

Jan Bukkems

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