Banded Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia trifasciata
FishFreshwater
Melanotaenia trifasciata reaches 12 cm. Its body is silvery with three longitudinal black bands, and red, yellow, and blue iridescence in males. Females are duller. It is a schooling fish that swims in groups. Very active, it occupies the middle water column. Breeding is easy, with spawning on plants. It can live 5-7 years in captivity.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| GH | 5–15 |
| KH | 3–10 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Difficulty2/5
Dietomnivore
Min. tank120 L
Min. group6
Adult size12 cm
Lifespan6 ans
Temperamentpeaceful
Care notes
Temperature 24-28°C, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 5-15. Minimum 120 liters for 6 fish. Omnivorous diet: flakes, pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia. Regular water changes. Compatible with other peaceful fish. Provide a planted tank with open areas. Avoid overly active or aggressive species. Moderate filtration is sufficient. This species is hardy but sensitive to high nitrates.