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Native to Australia, New Guinea and several adjacent islands, Rainbowfish ("Rainbows") are the most popular of our native aquarium fish. They are colourful, undemanding and easy to breed. Rainbows are well suited to community aquariums with their active manner and peaceful nature. They are best kept in a small group with other peaceful species in a planted aquarium, with plenty of open swimming space.
The name Rainbowfish is aptly chosen as most of these fish show their colours in many different hues, depending on their mood and the type and direction of the light source. Like the Congo Tetra, the reflective colours of Rainbows are best seen when there is some light source reaching the front of the aquarium from behind the viewer.
This can be achieved by putting Rainbows in aquariums that are positioned to receive some natural light from windows, or by positioning aquarium lighting towards the front of the aquarium rather than towards the rear. (The simple experiment of shining a torch at Rainbows shows the difference the direction of the light can make.) Also avoid coloured gravels, as these can help "wash out" the fish's colour.
Most Rainbows are not fussy about water conditions and can be kept in most aquarium conditions. Many of the Australian species also have wide temperature tolerances because of the climates they live in. (e.g. Murray River Rainbows typically experience winter water temperatures down to 10 C, Crimson Spot Rainbows 15 C and Eastern Rainbows 18 C, in summer water temperatures for these fish are typically 25-30 C.)
Rainbows will eat virtually all standard fish foods; most types should be given vegetable/"green" foods regularly, larger species also relish Duckweed. Avoid feeding beefheart, as this can lead to health problems.
Rainbows are very easy to breed, and often do so in the retail or home aquarium. The males attract the females with heightened colour and fin displays. The eggs are scattered on aquatic plants and usually hatch in 7-10 days (provided no fish are present to eat them.)
Rainbows can be quite varied in appearance; the Banded Rainbow for example, has more than 20 geographic variations, each one quite distinctive in colour. |
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