Turquoise 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).

Turquoise rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?

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

Turquoise 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).

Turquoise rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Giant danio, Scissortail rasbora, and Sailfin molly.

Turquoise rainbowfish: is it endangered?

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

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Turquoise rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

In a settled group its color deepens all the way to cobalt blue.

The Turquoise rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) 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 23–28 °C.

Size: 10 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Moderate

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 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 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 lacustris
Described byMunro, 1964

In other languages

English: Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
German: Aquamarin-Regenbogenfisch

Quick answers

Turquoise 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).
Turquoise rainbowfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Turquoise 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).
Turquoise rainbowfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 67 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Giant danio, Scissortail rasbora, and Sailfin molly.
Turquoise rainbowfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Turquoise rainbowfish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Turquoise rainbowfish: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 10 assessed Melanotaenia species on LumaReef: 3.