| Common Name | Bosemani Rainbow
|
| Species/genus | Melanotaenia boesemani
|
| Keeping | One of the most brilliantly
coloured fishes available. These are not beginner's fishes. The front half of this
fish is blue-gray, and the rear half a brilliant yellow orange. Between the two colors are
several narrow vertical stripes of deep blue-gray. The yellow orange fins are strikingly
contrasted by white edges on the dorsal fin. Both males and females carry this
beautiful coloration, although females are somewhat more subdued. The water
quality has to be maintained and regular water changes are a must. They can tolerate
a wide pH but prefer the pH to be maintained higher than 7. They can eat quality flake foods
but prefer live foods but diet should be supplemented with live food for good growth and
colours. They have to be kept in groups of four or more. They are very active swimmers and would
stress any slow moving fish so the tank mates must be fast swimmers. Ideal
set up is species tank. They need a large tank. They can be excellent dither fish
for cichlid tanks, since they are fast swimmers and normally do not compete for
the same territory as the cichlids, they are not attacked by the cichlids and can
escape such attacks easily. They bring out the shy cichlids with their fast
swimming traits. But care should be taken not to put too small a fish with a
cichlid that is larger and very aggressive. Personally I would not use these lovely fish
as dither fish.
|
| Breeding | They are easy to breed and long
conditioning periods are not necessary. You need a 20G breeding tank with breeding
mop or dense plants such as java moss at the bottom. Fish have to be conditioned with
live foods for a week before spawning. Spawning takes place with one male to several
females. Usually it takes place in the morning daily and may last for several days.
Water quality has to be maintained and pH at around 8.0. Spawning may last a few days
and eggs drop to the bottom. Well fed parents do not eat the eggs or fry. But preferable
the parents can be removed after a week or the mop can be removed on a daily basis and put
in another fry rearing tank with the same water setup as the breeding tank. Fry hatch after
two weeks and need Infusoria as first food. After a week or so they can take freshly hatched
brine shrimps. The fry will grow fast and soon can take other foods.
|
| Origin | Temp | Water | Temper
| Size | Tank | Food | Breeding
|
| New Guinea | 70-85 °F | Soft to Hard
| Peaceful, Community | 3-5 inch | 40 Gallon
| All, worms | Egg scatterer, Easy
|
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