{"product_id":"crimson-spot-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-duboulayi","title":"Crimson Spot Rainbowfish | Melanotaenia duboulayi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish is a classic eastern Australian native, its silvery flanks dotted with rows of red and flushed with blue and gold in mature males. Peaceful, hardy and endlessly active, and reaching around 10–12 cm, it is a superb native shoaler that suits both tropical and unheated subtropical aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMelanotaenia duboulayi occurs in the coastal rivers, creeks and still waters of eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland into New South Wales. It shoals among aquatic plants and submerged timber in clear, often slightly hard water, and tolerates a wide temperature range as a subtropical fish. A planted tank with open swimming lanes, some flow and good light recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep-bodied, laterally compressed rainbowfish with shimmering silver-green scales, rows of small crimson-red spots along the body and blue-gold highlights that intensify with age. Mature males are deeper-bodied, more colourful and put on their best show when displaying to rivals. Good conditions, varied feeding and a settled shoal bring out the strongest colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and busy. This is an active, open-water schooler that does best in a group, ideally with several males so their harmless sparring displays bring out full colour. It mixes well with other rainbowfish, larger tetras, peaceful barbs and other Australian natives. Its lively pace can unsettle very shy or slow tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn unfussy omnivore that eagerly takes quality flake and small pellets, and shows its best colour on a varied diet including frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter. Feed small amounts a couple of times a day, keeping food up in the water column where these mid-water fish prefer to feed.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 110 L, with more room better for a proper, active shoal. Keep temperature at 20–26 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and GH neutral to hard, around 8–20. As a subtropical native it does not need tropical heat and thrives in unheated indoor tanks in temperate climates. Provide clean, well-oxygenated water with regular changes. It is peaceful and completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is achievable and rewarding. Mature fish scatter small adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over an extended period, with eggs hatching in a week or so. The tiny fry need infusoria and other very small foods before taking baby brine shrimp. Removing eggs or using a separate rearing tank protects them, as adults will eat their own spawn.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMelanotaenia duboulayi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrimson-spotted Rainbowfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Australia (south-east Queensland and New South Wales)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10–12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: quality flake, pellets, frozen and live foods, some greens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–26 °C (subtropical; tolerates unheated tanks)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeutral to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted native, community and subtropical aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other rainbowfish, larger peaceful tetras, peaceful barbs, rasboras, bristlenose and other catfish, gudgeons and other Australian natives of similar size and temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with slow, long-finned or very timid fish that dislike fast company, with fin-nippers, and with large aggressive cichlids. It is adaptable but prefers harder, neutral to alkaline water over very soft, acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232828670243,"sku":"AA1512","price":18.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232828703011,"sku":null,"price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Crimsonspotted_Rainbowfish_a7f76165-23a4-4b2c-96a5-f442a84ddb7a.jpg?v=1781700123","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/crimson-spot-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-duboulayi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}