Neon dwarf rainbowfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 6.5 cm. The smallest of the 10 Melanotaenia species on LumaReef (Melanotaenia splendida inornata is the largest, 20 cm).

Neon dwarf rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Neon dwarf rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaenia on LumaReef need (20–30 °C).

Neon dwarf rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bronze corydoras, Black skirt tetra, and Diamond tetra.

FreshwaterComing soon130 coinsCommon

Neon dwarf rainbowfish

Melanotaenia praecox

A small but deep-bodied sprinter, arrowing between clumps of plants.

The Neon dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 6.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 75 cm long and water at 23–28 °C.

Size: 6.5 cm
Smallest tank: 75 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature23–28 °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 litres36 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres60 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres130 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres240 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres288 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along67 species

and 43 more species

Caution23 species

Crowding the same layer

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

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 praecox
Described byWeber & Beaufort, 1922

In other languages

English: Neon Rainbowfish
German: Diamant-Regenbogenfisch

Quick answers

Neon dwarf rainbowfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 6.5 cm. The smallest of the 10 Melanotaenia species on LumaReef (Melanotaenia splendida inornata is the largest, 20 cm).
Neon dwarf rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Neon dwarf rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaenia on LumaReef need (20–30 °C).
Neon dwarf rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bronze corydoras, Black skirt tetra, and Diamond tetra.
Neon dwarf rainbowfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Neon dwarf rainbowfish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.