Red-Striped Rainbow

Common name Red-Striped Rainbow Picture of Red-Striped Rainbow
Juvenile
Photo © Sean Evans

Scientific name Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata

Synonyms

Size 5" (12.5cm), females slightly smaller

Origin Papua New Guinea to Irian Jaya and Aru Islands, Indonesia

Tank setup Peaceful planted tank with gentle water movement

Compatibility Community tank

Temperature 22-28^oC (72-82^oF)

Water chemistry Not critical: fairly soft to medium hard, pH around neutral (6.2-7.6)

Feeding An omnivore which eats mainly insects and aquatic larvae and crustaceans in the wild. Will take most aquarium foods, which should include some live or frozen foods.

Sexing Males show more colour, and are larger and deeper bodied.

Breeding Like other rainbows, this species will spawn over fine plants. Eggs hatch in approximately a week.

Comments This is one of several subspecies of M. splendida. During spawning, red stripes on the body become more intense.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Red-Striped Rainbow	Juvenile `Photo © Sean Evans`
Scientific name	Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata
Synonyms
Size	5" (12.5cm), females slightly smaller
Origin	Papua New Guinea to Irian Jaya and Aru Islands, Indonesia
Tank setup	Peaceful planted tank with gentle water movement
Compatibility	Community tank
Temperature	22-28^oC (72-82^oF)
Water chemistry	Not critical: fairly soft to medium hard, pH around neutral (6.2-7.6)
Feeding	An omnivore which eats mainly insects and aquatic larvae and crustaceans in the wild. Will take most aquarium foods, which should include some live or frozen foods.
Sexing	Males show more colour, and are larger and deeper bodied.
Breeding	Like other rainbows, this species will spawn over fine plants. Eggs hatch in approximately a week.
Comments	This is one of several subspecies of M. splendida. During spawning, red stripes on the body become more intense.