My photos do not show the true color of this fish. Also lighting will make a difference how this fish will look. In my tank, depending where they are swimming, sometimes they have almost no blue color, and other times they are glowing neon blue.

The Praecox Rainbow, otherwise known as the Dwarf Neon Rainbow, is a peaceful schooling fish. Rainbow fish are known for their characteristic large eyes, black or silver band that runs through the middle scale rows, deeply forked mouth, and two dorsal fins.

A planted aquarium with plenty of free swimming places available will provide a good environment for Melanotaenia praecox. A dark colored gravel substrate may intensify the Praecox Rainbow's colors.

Both sexes are neon blue with the male having red fins and females having yellow. The Praecox Rainbow is an egg layer that spawns October thru November over a moss substrate. The female will lay 20 - 50 eggs a day for several days. At a temperature of around 78°F, the fry will hatch after six or seven days. Adults should be removed from the fry after hatching. Fry should be fed small pieces of live foods such as brine shrimp.

Although Praecox Rainbows have large mouths, their throats tend to be narrow. With this in mind, foods should not be too large. The Praecox Rainbow should be fed an omnivorous diet of prepared flakes, frozen, and live foods.