Boesemani Rainbow N.G. 6cm
Melanotaenia Boesemani would have to be one of the favorites in the Rainbow World.
Perfect addition to your aquarium as they are active A very undemanding, hardy, and peaceful species which is why they are great for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
The Boesemani kept in a neutral pH and water temp in the mid-20 range is ideal along with some big open swimming spaces and Aquatic plants to retreat to within the Aquarium, will live a long happy fishy life. Averaging under 10cm as max size but can get as big as 12cm.
The Boesemani are a species of Rainbowfish, a group named for their bright colours and the Boesemani is no exception, boasting lots of colours to brighten your aquarium.
Different from most other rainbowfishes, due to having a half-and-half colouring when fully matured. The head and the front portion of the body is bluish-grey, sometimes almost blackish, with the fins and posterior half of the body largely bright yellow/orange-red.
They can live for quite a long time, usually 5-8 years, this is mainly dependent on them being kept in a healthy tank that matches all their natural habitat preferences as much as possible. It has been recorded that some have even reached the age of 12 years old!
They average out under the 10cm size as adults but have been known to grow to 12cm.
These fish are excellent choices for a community aquarium because they are very social and active as well as having such a peaceful nature. Thrive and colour up well if kept in a shoal of the same species but will shoal with other rainbow species and also will mix well with other peaceful fish with similar water requirements. Due to their small mouths, you can also have the smaller invertebrates without worrying they may become a snack.
As omnivores, they will eat both meaty food and vegetation. They will eat whatever they come across in the wild, they are only limited by their small mouths.
Readily taking good small pellet food. Feeding the occasional frozen food and poached vegetables (like cut-up spinach or Zucchini) will be rewarding as it will bring out the colours brightly and result in a healthy active happy fish. Only give them an amount of food that they can finish in a couple of minutes to prevent overfeeding.
They like a good water flow due to being so active.
They can be known as skittish and jump, so having a lid on the aquarium is ideal or something to consider but not always necessary.
Populations of Boesemani Rainbowfish are very localized to a specific area. They can only be found naturally in the Ayamaru Lakes of Indonesia.
| Scientific Name | Melanotaenia boesemani |
|---|---|
| Care Level | Easy |
| Common Names | Boesemani, Bi colour Rainbow |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Fish Family | Melanotaeniidae |
| Lifespan (years) | 7 |
| Max. Length (cm) | 12 |
| Min. Tank Volume (l) | 100 Litres |
| Sociability | Peaceful |
| Venomous | No |
| Water Conditions | pH - 6.5 - 8.0, Temp - 21 to 26° C, dGH - 8 - 25 |