{"product_id":"chequered-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-splendida-inornata","title":"Chequered Rainbowfish | Melanotaenia splendida inornata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Chequered Rainbowfish shows a neat lattice of scale-edged markings over bright silver, warming to golds and soft reds as males mature. A hardy, peaceful and endlessly active native shoaler, it grows to around 11–12 cm and looks its best as a group cruising a roomy planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA northern Australian subspecies of the splendid rainbowfish, found across the Top End of the Northern Territory and into Queensland. It lives in billabongs, creeks and slow river reaches, often over sand and among aquatic plants, in warm, neutral to hard water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSilver-bodied with a distinctive chequered pattern created by dark-margined scales. Dominant males deepen in colour, showing gold, green and reddish flushes and taller fins, and can flash brighter still during display. Females and subordinate males stay more subdued.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, sociable and constantly on the move. Best kept in a shoal of six or more — mixed sexes encourage males to colour up as they display. An ideal fish for a larger native or rainbowfish community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a taste for plant matter. Offer a varied diet of quality flake and pellet, colour-enhancing and vegetable-based foods, and regular live or frozen treats such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy and adaptable, but it needs swimming room and good oxygenation. Provide a well-filtered tank of at least 110 litres, robust planting around the edges, open central swimming space and stable, warm, neutral-to-hard water with regular maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scatterer that deposits sticky eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over an extended period. Eggs hatch in 7–14 days; the tiny fry stay near the surface and need infusoria and very fine foods before taking baby brine shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMelanotaenia splendida inornata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChequered Rainbowfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5+ 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\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150+ litres\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\u003e24–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–20 dGH (medium to hard)\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\u003eNative and rainbowfish 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\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther rainbowfish, larger peaceful barbs and tetras, gudgeons, blue-eyes, peaceful catfish and other robust community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive cichlids, and tiny nano fish or long-finned slow swimmers that may be intimidated or out-competed by their pace.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232828604707,"sku":"AA1515","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232828637475,"sku":null,"price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Chequered_Rainbowfish_3322d539-b64c-45c7-8ce2-1c610d9dbe34.jpg?v=1781699995","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/chequered-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-splendida-inornata","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}