Mountain rainbowfish (Melanotaenia monticola)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia monticola Allen, 1980

The Mountain rainbowfish (Melanotaenia monticola) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 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: New Guinea, Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea between Mendi and Lake Kutubu, in the Purari River system.

Mountain rainbowfish care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
With caution
Adult size
10 cm (3.9 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
18–22°C (64–72°F)
pH
6.5–7.2
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 18 - 21

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Melanotaenia monticola
Family
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Order
Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
8.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Oceania: Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea between Mendi and Lake Kutubu, in the Purari River system, Omei Creek, 15 km south of Mendi and streams near Pimaga (13 km southeast of Lake Kutubu).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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Sources

Taxonomy, 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.

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