Middlebrook - Eastern Rainbow 5cm

Middlebrook - Eastern Rainbow

As the global popularity for rainbowfish increases there is greater demand for collectors to catch and introduce new species to the aquarium trade. One of these uncommon yet stunning rainbowfish is the Middlebrook or Eastern Rainbow. When a fish has ‘splendid’ in its name, you already know it’s going to look great. This fantastic native Australian species is found through the great dividing range of North Queensland. 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.

One of the coolest things about this species of rainbowfish is that depending on the collection point and locality, they can look vastly different from the same species just kilometres apart. 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 centimetres, they sport a blend of metallic scales that are overlaid on a light grey body. The scale colours are split into two halves with the upper body having a darker blue tone, and the bottom half having more greens, reds, and oranges. This is split by a dark lateral line that finishes at the tail. Compared to other splendid rainbow strains these have a less prominent black lateral band with just a few scaled highlighted near the tails.

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 Middlebrook - Eastern Rainbow

As the Middlebrook Eastern 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 Middlebrook Eastern Rainbowfish is 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. Middlebrook Eastern Rainbows are also tropical fish which are best kept at 24-26 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Middlebrook Eastern Rainbowfish 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 that may prey on the turquoise or any incredibly small species such as shrimp which may be eaten by the rainbow fish.

Feeding your Middlebrook - Eastern Rainbow

Middlebrook Eastern Rainbowfish 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 enhance the metallic oranges and blues.