Lake Eacham Rainbowfish

The Lake Eacham rainbowfish was described from Lake Eacham, a small crater lake on the Atherton Tableland of northeast Queensland. In the 1980s it disappeared from the lake because of predatory fish released into it; fish remaining in the hands of aquarists and researchers at the time played an important role in conserving the species, and populations living in the surrounding streams were later found as well. It is a plain but attractive 6–7 cm species with a silvery-bluish body.

• At least 100 liters and 80 cm of length for a school of 6–10.
• 22–25°C, around neutral, soft to moderately hard water; as it originates from an upland plateau, avoid very warm water.
• Plants along the edges, with an open swimming area in the middle.
• It jumps; use a lid.
• Hybridization: It hybridizes easily with the eastern rainbowfish (M. splendida) and other Melanotaenia species; breed this species of conservation value only with its own kind, and distribute offspring together with their locality information.

Omnivorous. It feeds on fine flakes and granules, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and small bloodworms. Feed small amounts 2–3 times a day.

A peaceful, active schooling fish; males display to each other. It may eat baby shrimp.

Good companions: Medium-sized tetras and rasboras, corydoras, otocinclus, blue-eye species.

Avoid: Aggressive and large fish, fin nippers; other Melanotaenia species.