Western Rainbowfish – Melanotaenia australis | Peaceful Shoaling Fish with Metallic Sheen & Lively Behaviour

The Western Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) is a brightly colored ornamental fish from Northern and Western Australia, captivating with its metallic shimmering body and active swimming behavior. Males show golden, green, or reddish hues with glossy fin edges, depending on their origin.

This species is peaceful, active swimmers, and robust, ideal for planted community aquariums with plenty of open space and a gentle water current. In group housing, the fish exhibit harmonious social behavior and their most beautiful color intensity.

🌿 Characteristics & Care:
🐠 Fish Size: M (5–5.5 cm)
🌎 Origin: Northern & Western Australia
🌡️ Temperature: 24–28 °C
💧 pH Value: 6.8–8.0
⚖️ Total Hardness: up to 20 °dGH
🐟 Social Behavior: Peaceful, schooling fish (from 6 fish)
🌾 Aquarium: From 200 l, planted, with current & open swimming space

🍽️ Feeding:
Eats live, frozen, and dry food. A varied diet with color-enhancing food (e.g., spirulina, krill) promotes vitality and color brilliance.

💡 Tip:
A brightly lit aquarium with a dark substrate emphasizes the metallic shimmer and perfectly highlights the males' colors.

👉 Conclusion:
The Western Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) is a peaceful, colorful schooling fish – ideal for active, planted community aquariums.