{"product_id":"lake-kutubu-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-lacustris","title":"Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish | Melanotaenia lacustris","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Lake Kutubu Rainbow is pure turquoise magic — mature males turn an unreal sky-blue that few other fish can match. Peaceful, hardy and active, it reaches around 11–12 cm and is one of the most beautiful rainbows for a planted shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to Lake Kutubu and the nearby Soro River in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, where it lives in clear, neutral-to-alkaline, moderately hard water among plants and submerged wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMature males develop a stunning turquoise-to-sky-blue body that shifts with light and mood; females and young are a softer silvery-blue. A deep-bodied, classic rainbowfish shape with the twin dorsal fins of the group. Colour intensifies in a settled shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and fast-moving, an ideal active schooling fish. Keep a group of six or more — males display their best colour when competing, and a shoal spreads any minor sparring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore. Feed a good flake or micro-pellet as a staple, plus live and frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm) and some vegetable or algae-based food for colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a roomy tank with neutral-to-hard, well-oxygenated water, gentle-to-moderate flow, and a mix of dense planting and open swimming space. Hardy and forgiving once mature, making it a great step-up rainbow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn egg-scatterer that lays adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over an extended period. Eggs hatch in one to two weeks; the tiny fry need infusoria and very fine foods at first.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMelanotaenia lacustris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Kutubu \/ Turquoise Rainbowfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 11–12 cm\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\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (flake, live\/frozen, some vegetable matter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 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\u003eBeginners and up; planted community and rainbowfish shoals\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 tetras, peaceful barbs, rasboras, Corydoras and other calm, active community fish that enjoy similar water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery small or timid fish that may be out-competed at feeding, slow long-finned fish, and aggressive or fin-nipping species. Avoid soft, acidic-only setups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232828342563,"sku":"AA1516","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232828375331,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Lake_Kutubu_Rainbowfish_fff07a03-5340-49d5-baa8-e856a74e89b1.jpg?v=1781700005","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lake-kutubu-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-lacustris","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}