Facts About Rainbow Fish

Description

• The most impressive characteristic of rainbow fish is their coloring. The female is attracted by a courtship stripe that appears on most male species during courting and spawning. The bright stripe varies in color depending on the species. Some females have a more subtle stripe than the males. Rainbow fish have laterally compressed bodies, forming an elongated diamond shape. Their shape varies by species as they may be deep-bodied or have a more slender appearance. The size of their bodies vary from 3 cm to 15 cm. Most rainbow fish are quite hardy, with the larger species expected to live as long as six years in captivity.

Rainbow Fish as Pets

• Rainbow fish are omnivores and generally eat all types of live, fresh and flake food. Their diet can be supplemented with white worms, blood worms and brine shrimp. Certain pet store foods contain a carotene dye to enhance the fish's color. Rainbow fish travel in schools, so they are best maintained in shoals of eight to 10 fish. They need open swimming space and are best suited to larger tanks--fish up to 6 cm should be placed in a 20-gallon tank; fish 6 cm to 12 cm should be placed in a 50- to 60-gallon tank; and fish 12 cm to 15 cm should be placed in a 150-gallon tank. Keep rainbow fish in a relatively quiet location with subtle lighting because they are easily startled.

Breeding

• Rainbow fish lay eggs year round in their native habitat. These fish are easily bred and their fry are not hard to rear. Eggs are often airmailed to Europe and United States, making the fish available beyond Australia and New Guinea. Rainbow fish readily breed in an aquarium, especially after a water change. They also spawn regularly in a community tank.

Types

• There are a variety of rainbow fish to choose from. Shoaling together is not an issue, since there is at least one male or female of each kind. The males of the red rainbow fish have a rich color when females are present. They may be harmful to plants if they possess a dark-colored substrate. The banded rainbow fish has several color variations. These omnivores benefit from a highly diversified diet. The slender, elongated celebes rainbow fish require very clean water and favor subdued lighting. The unusually shaped half gray and yellow bosemani rainbow fish require a lot of room and are among the more tedious to keep. The tiny blue neon dwarf rainbow fish prefer a lot of greenery and slightly acidic water. Lastly, the Herbert Axelrod's rainbow fish require a diet consisting of sufficient vegetable matter.

History

• When rainbow fish were first described in 1843, they were referred to as sunfish. A few specimen of rainbow fish have been harbored in aquariums since the early 1900s. However, they are a relatively modern contribution to the aquarium world. The publishing of "Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua New Guinea" in 1982 by Gerald Allen and Norbert Cross gave them a reputation of their own.