{"product_id":"cairns-rainbowfish-cairnsichthys-rhombosomoides","title":"Cairns Rainbowfish | Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cairns Rainbowfish is a slender rainforest-stream native of tropical north Queensland, with a subtle gold-green sheen that lifts in a shoal. A peaceful, true-blue Aussie rainforest specialist — but be candid: it has a reputation for being tricky to settle in, so it is better suited to keepers with some experience. Adults reach around 8cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndemic to a small stretch of coastal rainforest streams between Cairns and Ingham in far north Queensland, Australia. It lives in clear, fast-flowing, well-oxygenated creeks with rapids and rocky pools over gravel and pebble beds — clean, cool-to-warm, slightly alkaline water is its home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA streamlined, torpedo-shaped rainbowfish in soft silver with a greenish-gold shimmer and subtle darker markings along the flanks. Colours are understated compared with the flashier Melanotaenia rainbows, but a settled male group shows a quiet, elegant iridescence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and actively schooling. Keep in a group of six or more; a lone fish is nervous and dull. It suits a spacious, well-oxygenated community of similarly peaceful, current-tolerant fish and other Australian natives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Offer quality flake and small pellets plus regular frozen and live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and small bloodworm. A varied diet brings out the best colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the demanding part. It needs clean, highly oxygenated water with good flow, a stable temperature around 20–25°C, and gentle handling — do small, frequent water changes (no more than about 20% at a time) rather than large ones. It can be sensitive when first imported, but becomes considerably hardier once established. A tank of at least 3 feet \/ 100cm suits its active swimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scatterer, like other rainbowfish. Males display to females over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, where adhesive eggs are laid over several days and hang by fine threads. Eggs and fry are not guarded, so a separate rearing setup gives the best survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCairnsichthys rhombosomoides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCairns Rainbowfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorth-east Queensland, Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8cm (up to ~8.5cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–7.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustralian native and well-oxygenated community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful rainbowfish, Australian natives such as Pacific blue-eyes and gudgeons, and hardy, current-loving community fish of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, slow long-finned fish, and species needing warm, still, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232829325603,"sku":"BA8045","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232829358371,"sku":"BA8045-M","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cairns-rainbowfish-cairnsich-43091531399459.webp?v=1790306574","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cairns-rainbowfish-cairnsichthys-rhombosomoides","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}