Deepwater Creek Rainbow 5cm

Deepwater Creek Rainbow

When a fish has ‘splendid’ in its name, you already know it’s going to look great. The splendid rainbowfish has so many regional colour variants that you can have one species come in dozens of different colours. One of these stunning colours comes from Deepwater Creek. Reaching around 15 cm this stunning fish is a naturally occurring array of colours which is usually only seen in selectively bred fish. These rainbow fish would be great to highlight in a species-only planted tank or to add to the collection of rainbow fish.

Just like a lot of other rainbow fish, as juveniles, these fish tend to look washed out which turns a lot of aquarists away. Once these fish are put on a few centimeters, they look majestic with the metallic purple, yellow and orange colouration through the body that is broken up by white scales. The transition of colours is so incredibly natural that it looks like these fish have been painted. The purple colour is present from just above the eye to the dorsal fin however it is a relatively small patch only present above the pectoral fins. Under this is the sulphuric yellow colour that runs to the tail, this then transitions into the blood orange colour. 

Breeding these rainbows in the home aquarium is possible as males tend to grow larger and show far more vibrant colours compared to females. Once these fish reach maturity, they tend to breed on an almost daily basis and aquarists often use breeding mops to collect the eggs and rear them in a separate tank.

Tank Recommendations for your Deepwater Creek Rainbow

As the deepwater creek rainbow fish do reach around 15 cm, but more importantly are incredibly active it is best to keep them in an aquarium with a minimum volume of 180 litres. This ensures that they can be kept in a school and have ample swimming space as well.  

The deepwater creek rainbow is totally plant safe and will not only love but also look great in a well-planted aquarium. They are mostly mid to top water-dwelling fish so the choice of substrate and aquarium hardscape is not a major concern. They are however excellent jumpers so a tight-fitting lid is a must for the aquarium. These are also tropical fish that are best kept at 24-26 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The deepwater rainbow fish is incredibly peaceful but due to their speed, they may potentially outcompete slow or bottom-dwelling tank mates. They can however be kept in a wide range of community aquarium settings and with other rainbow fish strains.

Usually Compatible

Other rainbow fish species, a range of tetra species such as lemon tetras, black widow tetras, and Congo tetras along with danio species as well. 

Sometimes Compatible

Corydoras, Apistogramma, angelfish, and other smaller or potentially slow-moving species. 

Rarely Compatible

Aggressive species which may prey on the turquoise or any incredibly small species such as shrimp may be eaten by the rainbow fish. 

Feeding your Deepwater Creek Rainbow

Deepwater Creek rainbow fish will take to aquarium foods very easily. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. By giving them a varied diet, it ensures that they have optimal nutrition.  

The ideal diet would be good quality floating food, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or black worms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp or micro worms. Feeding any foods with natural colour enhancers would also be great as this will really enhance the metallic yellows and oranges.