HomeFreshwater aquarium fishRainbowfish & killifishBanded rainbowfish Banded rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata) Scientific name: Melanotaenia trifasciata Rendahl, 1922 The Banded rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows to about 14 cm (5.5 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, needs carefully chosen tank mates and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 18–22°C (64–72°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.2. Native range: Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland . Banded rainbowfish care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankWith cautionAdult size14 cm (5.5 in)Minimum tank210 L (55 US gal)Temperature18–22°C (64–72°F)pH6.5–7.2DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyLives mainly in small streams and waterholes in clear to moderately turbid water. Occurs over rocky or gravel bottoms or in well-vegetated areas, frequently around submerged logs and branches. Occurs at temperature and pH ranging from 22?-30? C and 5.2-7.0 respectively. Inhabits small creeks and waterholes in semi-rainforest or open grassland areas. Occasionally abundant in partly stagnant waterholes with leaf litter bottoms during the dry season. Species is easy to maintain and thrives in captivity.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameMelanotaenia trifasciataFamilyMelanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)OrderAtheriniformes (Silversides)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length13.0Common length8.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionOceania: Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More rainbowfish & killifishYellowbelly gudgeonAllomogurnda nesolepisKamaka rainbowfishMelanotaenia kamakaJavanese ricefishOryzias javanicusFlagfishJordanella floridaeBluefin killifishLucania goodeiBlackfin pearlfishAustrolebias nigripinnisSee all rainbowfish & killifish Can it live with...?Banded rainbowfish and Blackfin pearlfishBanded rainbowfish and Dwarf rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Javanese ricefishBanded rainbowfish and Kamaka rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Lake Kutubu rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Mountain rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Murray river rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Red rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Tami River rainbowfishBanded rainbowfish and Yellowbelly gudgeon SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026