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Photo from: "Tropical freshwater fish" by, David Alderton.

Overview:

Probably the first aquarium fish from "down under" seen in the states. The Dwarf Rainbow is not a show stopper, but still deserves a place in any community aquarium.

Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size:	Up to 2.5 inches (7cm)
Tank:	36 inches
Strata:	Middle, top
PH:	5.5 to 7.5
Hardness:	Medium to hard
Temperature:	72°F to 77°F (22 to 25°C) 75°F is ideal

Classification:

Order:	Atheriniformes
Suborder:	Atherinoidei
Family:	Melanotaeniidae
Genera:	Melanotaenia
Species:	Maccullochi

Dwarf Rainbowfish, McCulloch's Rainbow

Additional species photographs

Discuss:

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Distribution

Northeastern Australia, York peninsula and Southern Papua New Guinea.

The overall first look is a moderately slender stretched out fish. It has two Dorsal fins, the first being small and the second one is set back on the top of the body. The Anal fin starts in the middle of the underside. The rear corners of the Anal and second Dorsal are rounded and separated by a large gap from the heavily forked Caudal fin.

The coloration of the Rainbow depends on its sex. In the male the sides are a Greenish color with hints of Gold iridescence. At spawning time the sides can take on a Red hue. The gill covers also have this shimmering Green coloration, with a red dot and edged in Gold. The throat and underside are a dark Red in color and the top is a rather dull Brown. Seven Dark brown To Red stripes run down the length of the body with rows of pearly White scales in between them. The Dorsal and Anal fins are green at the base which blends into a Red hue. The caudal is also Red which also blends into clear at the ends. The female is similar, but the body and fins are paler in coloration. Not a stunning fish, but the more you look at it the more beautiful it becomes.

An easy fish to care for the tank should be as large as possible. In a well planted tank with open space swim the Dwarf Rainbow will be undemanding and happy. All kinds of food are accepted from flake to live. They are a schooling fish and should be kept in groups, being peaceful they can be housed with other community type fish. They are very oxygen intensive fish and need cooler water. Provide good filtration with a gentile current. Water on the acid side is best but they will adapt to other conditions.

Slow flowing rivers of Northern Australia with vegetation mixed with open areas.

Daintree river, Queensland
photo by "Margaret in cyberspace"

The fish are sexually mature when about one inch in size. If properly conditioned with live food and pristine water the fish will spawn. The eggs are usually laid in the morning and are scattered in fine leafed vegetation. At home Java moss or spawning mops can be used. The eggs hang from the vegetation from shot filaments. The process can last several days and hundreds of eggs can be laid. At 77 degrees F. the eggs will hatch in eight to ten days. The eggs can be light sensitive and should be kept in a darkened aquarium. The fry at first will not swim for a day or two. Newly hatched bow fry are *far* too small to be fed crushed flakes. They need infusoria and/or vinegar eels for up to 2 weeks (species dependant) before they can be fed baby brine shrimp or microworms. *ALL* rainbowfish parents will eat eggs and fry. If you want fry, don't leave the eggs in the same tank. Rainbowfish are top feeders and that's where the fry hang out.

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From: Robert Legnon Date:10/2/07 I'm new to the dwarf rainbows, but I set up my tank after months of research on their needs. Fish have been appearing lately and I found out they are the Dwarf Rainbows. I've got about a hundred fry now and half a dozen of them at about half an inch or more. Tank is 30 gal with a 30 gal sump. Home made wet dry and lots of Java moss and hiding spaces. Temp at 78 to 80. Food, flake cichlid food, frozen brine shrimp, frozen blood worms,cory sinking pellets, and pleco wafers. Occasional cucumber and zucchini. I don't feed any special foods for the fry. They seem to get all they need off the Java moss and surface flakes. I believe the high oxygen saturation percentage in the water, along with live plants seem to be ideal for the health and spawning of these guys. Plus, over a third of the tank is shaded with floating Java moss and plants for shade and hiding. Hope that helps, good luck with your dwarfs. Bob From: Jenni Date:9/21/07 Have bred these fish, and would like to note; while the fry are initially tiny, they will in fact do just fine on crushed flake instead of insuforia/vinegar eels as listed. They especially thrive in tanks with Java moss, which can also provide nutrients. They grow rapidly and begin to display color at 6-8 weeks old. Very social and friendly fry.

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