Moderate

Turquoise Rainbowfish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Melanotaenia lacustris

Complete Turquoise Rainbowfish care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Turquoise Rainbowfish

Quick Answer

Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) is a brilliant blue species from Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 7.0 - 8.0 and temperature range of 24-28°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) is a brilliant blue species from Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea. Males develop an intense turquoise color.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space, plants, and good water flow. Hard, alkaline water is preferred.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. A varied diet maintains color.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 6+. Good with other rainbowfish, barbs, danios, and peaceful cichlids.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
7.0 - 8.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Turquoise Rainbowfish should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 6 to 8 individuals in a tank of at least 55 gallons (208 liters) with a footprint of 48x15 inches (120x38 cm). Turquoise rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) develop a deep forest-blue color palette that displays best in long, mature aquariums. Groups under 5 cause faded colors and stress. Maintain a 1 male to 2-3 female ratio. Provide open swimming lanes and dark substrate. Tank length must exceed 4 feet (120 cm). High water quality is essential for blue iridescence.
What are the exact water parameters for Turquoise Rainbowfish?
Target pH 7.0 - 8.0, General Hardness 8 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 6 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 150 - 400 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 300 - 800 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They prefer hard, alkaline tap water conditions and require strong oxygenation loops (air stones, powerheads). Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with high flow (10x turnover). Hardness below 5 dGH reduces blue coloration.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Turquoise Rainbowfish?
They are active omnivores requiring 45% protein, 12% fat, 43% plant matter. Feed high-protein flake food, slow-sinking pellets, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched peas weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days.
How to breed Turquoise Rainbowfish in captivity?
Select 8-10 mature fish (1 male:2 female) and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 3 weeks. Set up a 30-gallon (113 liter) breeding tank with 10 inches (25 cm) of water (pH 7.5, dGH 10, 75°F/24°C), a spawning mop, and java moss. Spawning occurs daily at dawn; females release 50-150 adhesive eggs daily over several days. Remove parents every 2 days. Eggs hatch in 7-10 days at 72°F (22°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp. Grow-out requires frequent water changes.

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