Bleher's Rainbowfish

Bleher's rainbowfish is endemic to Lake Holmes (Danau Bira) in the Mamberamo basin of northern New Guinea and is named after Heiko Bleher, who collected the species. In mature males the front half of the body is greenish-yellow and the rear half red-orange; this two-toned look is reminiscent of the boesemani rainbowfish. It is a fast-swimming fish that reaches 10–12 cm, and its colors only fully appear at maturity.

• At least 200 liters and 120 cm of length for a school of 6–10.
• 25–27°C, around neutral, soft to moderately hard water; a 25–30% water change every week.
• Dense planting along the edges, with a wide swimming area in the middle.
• It jumps; the lid must be tight.
• Hybridization: It can hybridize with other Chilatherina species and related rainbowfish; keep the species separate if you plan to breed.

Omnivorous with a hearty appetite. It feeds on quality flakes and granules, frozen brine shrimp, mysis and bloodworms; foods containing carotenoids strengthen the red tones.

Peaceful but very active; males display to each other. It eats fry and small shrimp and may frighten small fish.

Good companions: Large rainbowfish from other genera, Congo tetras, corydoras, bristlenose plecos (Ancistrus), synodontis.

Avoid: Neocaridina shrimp, slow long-finned fish, aggressive cichlids.