Irian jaya rainbowfish - Melanotaenia irianjaya
Scientific name: Melanotaenia irianjaya
Common name: Irian jaya rainbowfish
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Usual size in fish tanks: 8 - 10 cm (3.15 - 3.94 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.3 - 7.1
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 6 - 16°N (107.14 - 285.71ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F)
The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning
Where the species comes from: South Asia
Temperament to its own species: peaceful
Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful
Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels
Food and feeding
Irian jaya rainbowfish do well with quality flake and floating pellets. Twice a week provide them with live or frozen foods. Blood worms, white worms and brine shrimp are ideal.
Origin
Asia; Irian jaya rainbowfish are endemic to Lake Sentani, Indonesia.
Sexing
Males have a reddish body colouration with reddish fins. Females will have clear fins with a yellowy brown colouration.
Breeding
Add java moss or fine leaved plants to the breeding tank. Add one pair to the tank and raise the temperature slightly. Spawning will last over a few weeks with several eggs being laid per day. Once spawning is complete, remove the parents to prevent them from eating the eggs, when the fry are free swimming they can be fed on Infusoria initially.
Lifespan
The expected life span for Melanotaenia irianjaya is 7 years.
Short description
Always keep this rainbow fish with other peaceful species and provide open swimming spaces at the front of the tank but add planted areas towards the rear. A tight fitting lid is required as these fish are great jumpers.