Turquoise Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
Also sold as Lake Kutubu rainbowfish
Synonyms Blue rainbowfish
Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 12 cm (4.7 in) and swims in open water in a shoal. It wants 68–77°F (20–25°C) and pH 7–9, is kept in groups of 6 or more, and needs a tank of at least 108 L (29 gal).
Check a freshwater stocking selection with your tank size and animal counts.
Try it in a tank
Put Turquoise Rainbowfish in a 3D tank at your size and see how it sits with everything else. Free with an account.
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 12 cm (4.7 in) |
| Minimum tank | 108 L (29 gal) |
| Group size | 6 or more |
| Temperature | 68–77°F (20–25°C) |
| pH | 7–9 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Eats shrimp | Yes |
Before it goes in
- Turquoise Rainbowfish needs at least 108 L (29 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 29 Gallon.
- Keep 6 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
- It eats shrimp. Cherry Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp and Bamboo Shrimp are on the menu.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Iridescent Shark, Senegal Bichir and Black Ghost Knifefish: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 68–77°F (20–25°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with German Blue Ram and Discus.
- A group of 6 takes up roughly 131% of what a 29 Gallon will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Turquoise Rainbowfish: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 108 L (29 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 29 Gallon.
How many should I keep?
6 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.
Will it eat shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.
What water does it want?
68–77°F (20–25°C), pH 7–9.
How long does it live?
5–8 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Goldfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly and Otocinclus.
- Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
Often compared with
| Turquoise Rainbowfish | Boesemani Rainbowfish | Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 12 cm | 12 cm | 6 cm |
| Min tank | 108 L | 200 L | 80 L |
| Group | 6+ | 6+ | 6+ |
| Temperature | 68–77°F (20–25°C) | 75–82°F (24–28°C) | 73–82°F (23–28°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Yes | Yes | Yes |