Red rainbowfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 14 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Melanotaeniidae species on LumaReef: 4 cm (Threadfin rainbowfish) to 20 cm (Melanotaenia splendida inornata).

Red rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?

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

Red rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaeniidae on LumaReef need (23–30 °C).

Red rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 58 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Freshwater angelfish, and Swordtail.

Red rainbowfish: is it endangered?

The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 13 assessed Melanotaeniidae species on LumaReef: 5.

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Red rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

The male humps up with age and turns broadside to show his whole body.

The Red rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 14 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: 14 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Moderate

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 litres18 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres40 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres75 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres90 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
GenusGlossolepis
SpeciesGlossolepis incisus
Described byWeber, 1907

In other languages

German: Lachsroter Regenbogenfisch
Russian: Гребнечешуйная радужница

Quick answers

Red rainbowfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 14 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Melanotaeniidae species on LumaReef: 4 cm (Threadfin rainbowfish) to 20 cm (Melanotaenia splendida inornata).
Red rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Red rainbowfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–20 °dGH. Close to what most Melanotaeniidae on LumaReef need (23–30 °C).
Red rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 58 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Freshwater angelfish, and Swordtail.
Red rainbowfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Red rainbowfish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Red rainbowfish: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 13 assessed Melanotaeniidae species on LumaReef: 5.