Eastern Rainbowfish

The eastern rainbowfish is the nominate subspecies, living on the east coast, of Melanotaenia splendida, one of Australia's most widespread rainbowfish. The thin orange-red stripes on its silvery-blue body, the red spot on the gill cover and the red-yellow fins are its typical look; colors vary by population.

Other subspecies of the species are also found in the hobby: M. s. inornata from northern Australia and southern New Guinea is known as the "checkered rainbowfish" because of the pattern formed by the dark lines along its scale edges; M. s. rubrostriata from southern New Guinea is recognized by its distinct red stripes. All need the same care. Reaching 11–12 cm, these fish are also suitable for beginners thanks to their adaptability to a wide range of water values.

It lives in the coastal rivers of eastern Queensland, in planted ponds, swamps and along the calm edges of rivers. Because temperature, turbidity and water hardness change with the season where it lives, it is a very flexible species.

• Volume: at least 200 liters and 120 cm in length for a school of 6–10.
• Water: 23–27°C, neutral to slightly alkaline, with a wide tolerance from soft to hard. 25–30% water changes every week.
• Decor: Dense plants and roots along the edges, open swimming space in the middle.
• Lighting: Good light and a dark substrate make the red stripes stand out.
• Lid: It jumps; the lid must fit tightly.

Omnivorous and not fussy. It does well on quality flakes and granules, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, bloodworms and daphnia. In the wild it also eats insect larvae and algae; foods with plant content are beneficial. Feed small amounts 2–3 times a day.

A peaceful, active and hardy schooling fish. Males display to each other; during this a light-colored stripe appears on the forehead and the fin colors darken. Because it has a big appetite, it leaves slow fish behind at feeding time; it eats fry and small shrimp.

Good companions: large rainbowfish from other genera, Congo tetras, rosy barbs, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, synodontis, botias.

Avoid: Neocaridina shrimp, slow long-finned fish, aggressive cichlids; if you plan to breed, other Melanotaenia species and subspecies.

At least 6, ideally 10 or more individuals. A female-heavy group (2 females per male) is balanced; having several males increases display behavior and color. A large school uses the whole tank and is less skittish.

A very easy-breeding egg scatterer. In the morning hours pairs lay a few eggs every day on fine-leaved plants or a wool spawning mop. Collect the eggs, which have sticky threads, and move them to a separate container; the parents eat eggs and fry. The fry hatch in 7–12 days and are fed infusoria and liquid fry food in the first week, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Hybridization: The subspecies hybridize easily with each other and with other Melanotaenia species (e.g. the western rainbowfish and the crimson-spotted rainbowfish). Breed while preserving subspecies and locality information; do not pass on fry of mixed origin as pure.

• White spot: can appear after a sudden temperature change.
• Bloating: caused by overfeeding; feed little and often.
• Fading color: a sign of poor water and stress.
• It is one of the hardiest species in the group and adapts to a wide range of conditions.

Males are larger, deeper-bodied and have more distinct stripes; their fins are red-yellow with dark edges. Females are smaller, slender and silvery-bodied; their stripes are faint, and their fins are mostly colorless or slightly yellowish.