Boesemani rainbowfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 10 cm. Record sizes among the 10 Melanotaenia species on LumaReef: 5 cm (Neon dwarf rainbowfish) to 20 cm (Melanotaenia splendida inornata).

Boesemani rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Boesemani rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaenia on LumaReef need (20–30 °C).

Boesemani rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 58 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Scissortail rasbora, Sailfin molly, and Swordtail.

Boesemani rainbowfish: is it endangered?

The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 10 assessed Melanotaenia species on LumaReef: 3.

FreshwaterIn the market160 coinsUncommon

Boesemani rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani

It patrols the length of the tank; males light up instead of fighting.

The Boesemani rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 10 cm. The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 24–29 °C.

Size: 10 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature24–29 °C

pH7.0–8.0

Hardness8–20 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 6 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres30 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres65 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres120 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres144 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along58 species

and 34 more species

Caution28 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Crowding the same layer

Not together13 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderAtheriniformes
FamilyMelanotaeniidae
GenusMelanotaenia
SpeciesMelanotaenia boesemani
Described byAllen, 1980

In other languages

English: Boeseman's rainbowfish
German: Boesemans Regenbogenfisch
Spanish: Arco iris
Russian: Радужница Боесмана
Chinese: 貝氏虹銀漢魚

Quick answers

Boesemani rainbowfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 10 cm. Record sizes among the 10 Melanotaenia species on LumaReef: 5 cm (Neon dwarf rainbowfish) to 20 cm (Melanotaenia splendida inornata).
Boesemani rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Boesemani rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaenia on LumaReef need (20–30 °C).
Boesemani rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 58 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Scissortail rasbora, Sailfin molly, and Swordtail.
Boesemani rainbowfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Boesemani rainbowfish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Boesemani rainbowfish: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 10 assessed Melanotaenia species on LumaReef: 3.