Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
Melanotaenia lacustris has an elongated, silvery body with metallic blue-green reflections on the flanks. Adult males develop a reddish tint on the dorsal and anal fins. It can reach 12 cm. It is a gregarious and peaceful fish, but requires a large water volume to thrive. Its natural habitat is threatened by the introduction of exotic fish like the Nile perch. In aquariums, it is sensitive to water quality.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 7–8 |
| GH | 8–15 |
| KH | 5–12 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 1 |
Care
Care notes
Aquarium of at least 250 liters with strong filtration and moderate flow. Temperature 24-28°C, pH 7.0-8.0, GH 8-15. Hard, alkaline water is preferred. Varied diet: flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, bloodworms. Peaceful species, compatible with similarly sized fish. Avoid aggressive species. A planted tank with open areas is ideal. Breeding is difficult in captivity; eggs are laid on fine plants. Due to its endangered status, prefer captive-bred specimens.