Identify this fish?

[dont155]

Can someone please give me the precise scientific name of this Rainbowfish?

The store listed it simply as an "Australian Rainbowfish" But I'd like to confirm that the listing on the store's tank was correct. There seem to be several varieties of Rainbowfish from Australia.

Thanks,
Don T.

 

[rkilling1]

common australian rainbow fish. I will try and find the sci. name.

EDIT:

I believe its Melanotaenia splendida australis.

 

[newfound77951]

I would agree. Rainbow taxonomy is difficult, especially when the fish most people see look nothing like all the pictures! There are many species and varieties of rainbows from Australia and New Guinea. Many of the common rainbows may be hybrids anyway.

 

[dont155]

Thanks guys, I have three of the Australian guys. The one pictured is the biggest right now. I also have two Melanotaenia Boesemani, here's one of them:

Rainbows are CooL fish, I'm glad I picked them. Its almost a frenzy at feeding time, I've been feeding them Daphina, Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp. They're growing fast too.


-Don T.

 

[severum mama]

They seem to be showing nice colors, in spite of the flash LOL! Looks like you're doing a good job with them. In addition to what you are already feeding, I would vary their diet more with a good staple food like high-quality flake and tiny pellets.

 

[rkilling1]

In addition to what you are already feeding, I would vary their diet more with a good staple food like high-quality flake and tiny pellets.

and of course, any bugs you find around the house.

 

[dont155]

LoL, They tend to spit flake out, and I did try small [granules?] (they look like little spheres) Anyway, those still seem to be too big for them as they spit those out too. It's been a bit fustrating trying to find other things that they will readily eat.

 

[severum mama]

lol I understand. They might like new life spectrum small fish pellets, but then again, they may not. That's what we feed the rainbows in the store.

 

[fish_4_all]

Flightless or wingless fruit flies are a blast and fairly easy to culture. Grindal worms are very easy to culture and harvest. Maybe confused flour beetles but they may have to be a little larger before them. I love live food, the fish just love them I just wish I had room to raise them all.

 

[mattrox]

Even within a single species of Australian Rainbow Fish there can be colour variations depending on the river system they come from.

http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Melanotaenia.htm

That might help you identify your fish. HTH.

EDIT: It could also be Melanotaenia trifasciata.

 

[newfound77951]

My rainbows LOVE the New Life spectrum small fish community granules....but then again they LOVE any and all food they can cram into their mouths, including the algae wafers and shrimp pellets that I put in for my plecos and cories!

 

[jibboo]

looks similar to what www.thatfishplace sells as Dwarf Neon Rainbows (Melanotaenia Praecox)

http://www.thatpetplace.com/LiveFis...eshwater+Rainbow/T1/L90+0022+0475/Detail.aspx

here's a pic of mine from a while back:

 

[RoK]

Could also be Melanotaenia splendida splendida.