Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia praecox

Its scales shine metallic blue like polished foil, framed by bright red fins. A busy school of them never stops shimmering.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 6 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 6 or more and needs 24–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and an aquarium of at least 80 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

6.5–8.0

Adult size

6 cm (2.4 in)

Aquarium

80 L or bigger (21 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

6 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Mamberamo River, West Papua

Good to know

• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Dwarf Gourami, Ghost Shrimp, Honey Gourami, Kuhli Loach, Marbled Hatchetfish, Mystery Snail, Otocinclus.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Dwarf Gourami, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Fancy Guppy and 14 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cherry Barb, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra and 20 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic uncommon
• Yellow Fin uncommon

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.