Rainbowfish Community with Schools of Active Rainbowfish and Groups of Live Aquatic Plants Makes One of the Most Beautiful Types of Freshwater Tanks

Elmer’s Aquarium Community Tank Ideas Tank Size- 30 gal or more

R ainbowﬁsh Community Why Keep Them: A Rainbowfish community with schools of active rainbowfish and groups of live aquatic plants makes one of the most beautiful types of freshwater tanks. Rainbowfish are a family ( Melanotaeniidae ) of colorful freshwater fish that are found in Australia, New Guinea and some Southeast Asian islands.

Tank Conditions: This community tank is suitable for tanks 30 gallon or more. Larger tanks can create an even better display. Filtration can include a properly sized power filter or canister filter Rainbowfish like currents so a supplemental powerhead for water movement is advised. Temperature range 72-80.

Live Plants?- Live plants bring out the best in rainbowfish. They will not harm the plants and the natural look plants create brings out their best behavior and coloration. To grow plants we advise a plant substrate and adequate LED lighting to help the plants grow. Leave open space in the front for swimming and some tall plants or driftwood to the back.

Feeding: They will accept a variety of foods. Feed two to three times a day with flake food, small pellets, mysis shrimp, plankton, bloodworms. Best coloration is obtained when fed a variety of quality foods including frozen foods.

How Many? Rainbowfish do best in groups of 3 or more. You can start with smaller specimens and let them grow or go directly to larger adult sizes. Best coloration is obtained as adults. You can keep several species together. In many cases adult males are more colorful than females.

Tank Mates: For best coloration and activity we recommend a “rainbowfish only”, community by mixing different species of Rainbowfish. You can mix in a few catfish for the bottom. . If you would like to mix in some other fish the list below should work:

Rainbowfish : Here are some of the best sellers: Most grow to about 4 to 5”. Splendida, Boeseman, Emerald, Furcatus, Trifasciata, Red Irian, Turquoise. If you would like to mix in some other fish the list below should work: Barbs: Rosy, Black Ruby Clown, Gold Odessa , Cherry, Tinfoil Cichlids: Keyhole Kribensis Danios: Giant Danio, Pearl Danio, Zebra Danio Gouramis: Blue, Gold, Moonlight, Pearl, Platinum, Sunset, Thicklip Loach, Botia: Clown Loach, Kuhli Loach, Weather Loach, most Botias Livebearers: Swordtails Sharks: Small sharks including Red Tail , Red Rainbow ,l Tri Color Shark, Roseline Tetras: Choose larger, more active tetras. large Black Tetra, large Bleeding Heart Tetra, Emperor Tetra, Congo Tetra, large Serpae Tetra. Avoid small slow moving tetras. Other Fish: Algae Eaters, Chilodus Headstander, Prochilodus Siamese Algae Eater, Panda Garra Eels: Fire Spiney, Tire Track Cichlids : Keyhole Kribensis Catfish: Most catfish will work including corydoras, plecostomus, synodontis.

Avoid : Fish that will disrupt plants such as Silver Dollars or large Cichlids. Avoid small fish that may be frightened by their activity.

Dwarf Rainbowfish Here are small Rainbowfish that can be kept in small planted tanks of 10 gal and up: Threadfin, Praecox, Blue Eye Gertrude. Do not mix them with larger rainbowfish

Brackish Water Rainbowfish : The Celebes Rainbow is a dwarf rainbow that prefers brackish water. It can be kept with guppies and mollies.

Elmer’s Aquarium 4005 William Penn Hwy. Monroeville, Pa. 15146 412-372-6535 www.elmersaquarium.com Established 1969