Species Profile
Australian Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia fluviatilis
Rainbowfishpeaceful
Adult size
4″
Minimum tank
40 gal
Temperature
72–80°F
pH
6.5–8
Schooling
Group of 6+
Water level
mid
Diet
Flake, pellets, frozen
Notes
Colors develop with age and good diet; males display vivid blue, green, and orange when mature in 4+ year-old fish. Hardy and adaptable; great choice for outdoor ponds in warm climates as well as community tanks.
Compatible Tankmates
Best tank mates for Australian Rainbowfish
Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with Australian Rainbowfishin a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.
Cardinal Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Rummynose Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Harlequin Rasbora
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Zebra Danio
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Fancy Guppy
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Male Betta
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Dwarf Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Honey Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Bolivian Ram
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Angelfish
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Bristlenose Pleco
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Cherry Barb
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Photo: Bahudhara / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0