Murray River Rainbow 5cm

Murray River Rainbowfish 

The Murray river rainbowfish has easily got to be one of the most under-rated Melanotaenia species in the aquarium trade. Whilst there may be far more colourful species, the hardiness, size, and versatility of these fish are completely unparalleled. These are one of the only true cold-water rainbowfish species that can even be kept outdoors in ponds through winter with no issues at all. They will make for a fantastic entry-level rainbowfish species or even a great Coldwater aquarium species that can easily pass off as tropical fish.

The Murray river rainbowfish actually have stunning colours especially when they are adult-size. The base colour tends to be an olive green to cream colour that is covered with bright green scales from just past the head to the tail. These scales have a metallic sheen and just glitter under aquarium lights and since these fish can be kept in outdoors, they look ten times better under sunlight. As these are larger rainbowfish, they will add a tonne of life to a community system, especially in big systems. They also school really well so they are really awesome entry-level aquarium fish.  Native Australian rainbowfish often get overlooked for colourful tetras or even non-native rainbowfish, but when you have a fish that is this stunning, they make for a fantastic and arguably better alternative. 

Once they reach maturity, the Murray river rainbow will breed on an almost daily basis. Though you can simply leave the parents in a dedicated planted display aquarium and hope for the fry to survive, the best luck is achieved when setting up a breeding system. Aquarists will usually have these fish in a bare aquarium with spawning mops which are rotated out daily to harvest the eggs which can then be hatched elsewhere. Males tend to be larger than females by around 1-2 cm when mature and have larger fins and deeper bodies. Females will have less reflective scales when compared to brighter males. 

Tank Recommendations for your Murray River Rainbow 

Being a larger growing and active rainbowfish that will reach a max size of 10 cm, this species will need an aquarium that is a minimum of 150 liters. Since these fish have to be kept in a school, an aquarium of this volume could easily house 5-6 fish.

These fish are mostly middle-to-top dwellings and will appreciate a longer tank to supplement their active behavior. A tight-fitting lid is also required because the Murray river rainbows have a high risk of jumping out. Though the hardscape and substrate are not a major concern, these fish will love a planted tank. Their wild environment features a lot of botanicals and driftwood so including this will always be good. 

Suitable Tank Buddies

Being a small and peaceful fish, the Murray river rainbow is a very easy fish to pair with other tank mates. They can be kept in aquariums with other dwarf rainbow fish or in mixed community aquariums.

Usually Compatible

Danios, a range of rainbowfish species, with larger blue eyes along with other community fish like tetras, rasboras, and similar species. 

Sometimes Compatible

Really nano species such as neon tetras, cardinal tetras, celestial danios, Maculata raspobora, and endler guppies which have a risk of being preyed on. 

Rarely Compatible

Large and aggressive species which would prey on the Murray river rainbow such as Oscars, or jaguar cichlids.

Feeding your Murray River Rainbow

The Murray river rainbow is very easy to feed once it is settled into the aquarium. These fish should always be kept in a school of 5+ individuals because it makes them feel far more comfortable and you will clearly observe this during feeding time. The rainbows will show off this pack-feeding frenzy which is just so fun to watch. They will readily eat a wide range of foods but would prefer to have high-protein foods like frozen bloodworms, Mysis shrimp, or live foods such as brine shrimp or black worms. This however can be substituted with good-quality flakes or small floating pellets.