Aru Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia picta
Aru Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia picta)
The Aru Rainbowfish is a lively, attractive rainbowfish from the Aru Islands of Indonesia, prized for its shimmering body tones and the stronger yellow, orange and blue highlights that develop as males mature. In a well-kept aquarium it is an active mid-water species that looks best when kept in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm.
Common Name:
Aru Rainbowfish. It is also commonly known as the Painted Rainbowfish, Picta Rainbowfish, Aru Island Rainbowfish and Melanotaenia picta Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia picta
Maximum Size:
Up to 8–11 cm in length, with males usually growing a little larger and deeper-bodied than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to the Mareremar River system on Kobroor Island in the Aru Islands, Indonesia. It naturally occurs in tropical freshwater habitat with open swimming space, current and natural cover.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.8–7.8
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, though males may posture and spar lightly when establishing hierarchy or displaying. These interactions are usually short-lived and are part of normal rainbowfish behaviour when the fish are kept in a suitable group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, micro pellets and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp and other protein-rich foods to maintain colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is around 120 litres or more, especially if keeping a proper group. A longer aquarium is far more suitable than a tall, narrow one because this species is an active swimmer.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an energetic mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planted margins, wood or rockwork for security. It is best kept in a group, and the fish usually become more confident, more settled and better coloured once established in a shoal.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that enjoy clean, well-oxygenated water and open swimming space. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and calm bottom-dwellers. Watch out for aggressive fish, fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is active and fast-moving and can overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, regular maintenance and a layout that balances open swimming areas with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them less settled and less colourful.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Aru Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia picta
Aru Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia picta
Aru Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia picta)
The Aru Rainbowfish is a lively, attractive rainbowfish from the Aru Islands of Indonesia, prized for its shimmering body tones and the stronger yellow, orange and blue highlights that develop as males mature. In a well-kept aquarium it is an active mid-water species that looks best when kept in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm.
Common Name:
Aru Rainbowfish. It is also commonly known as the Painted Rainbowfish, Picta Rainbowfish, Aru Island Rainbowfish and Melanotaenia picta Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia picta
Maximum Size:
Up to 8–11 cm in length, with males usually growing a little larger and deeper-bodied than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to the Mareremar River system on Kobroor Island in the Aru Islands, Indonesia. It naturally occurs in tropical freshwater habitat with open swimming space, current and natural cover.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.8–7.8
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, though males may posture and spar lightly when establishing hierarchy or displaying. These interactions are usually short-lived and are part of normal rainbowfish behaviour when the fish are kept in a suitable group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, micro pellets and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp and other protein-rich foods to maintain colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is around 120 litres or more, especially if keeping a proper group. A longer aquarium is far more suitable than a tall, narrow one because this species is an active swimmer.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an energetic mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planted margins, wood or rockwork for security. It is best kept in a group, and the fish usually become more confident, more settled and better coloured once established in a shoal.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that enjoy clean, well-oxygenated water and open swimming space. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and calm bottom-dwellers. Watch out for aggressive fish, fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is active and fast-moving and can overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, regular maintenance and a layout that balances open swimming areas with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them less settled and less colourful.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $10.78
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$3.77Product Information
Product Information
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Shipping & Returns
Description
Aru Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia picta)
The Aru Rainbowfish is a lively, attractive rainbowfish from the Aru Islands of Indonesia, prized for its shimmering body tones and the stronger yellow, orange and blue highlights that develop as males mature. In a well-kept aquarium it is an active mid-water species that looks best when kept in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm.
Common Name:
Aru Rainbowfish. It is also commonly known as the Painted Rainbowfish, Picta Rainbowfish, Aru Island Rainbowfish and Melanotaenia picta Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia picta
Maximum Size:
Up to 8–11 cm in length, with males usually growing a little larger and deeper-bodied than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to the Mareremar River system on Kobroor Island in the Aru Islands, Indonesia. It naturally occurs in tropical freshwater habitat with open swimming space, current and natural cover.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 6.8–7.8
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, though males may posture and spar lightly when establishing hierarchy or displaying. These interactions are usually short-lived and are part of normal rainbowfish behaviour when the fish are kept in a suitable group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, micro pellets and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp and other protein-rich foods to maintain colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is around 120 litres or more, especially if keeping a proper group. A longer aquarium is far more suitable than a tall, narrow one because this species is an active swimmer.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an energetic mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planted margins, wood or rockwork for security. It is best kept in a group, and the fish usually become more confident, more settled and better coloured once established in a shoal.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that enjoy clean, well-oxygenated water and open swimming space. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras and calm bottom-dwellers. Watch out for aggressive fish, fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is active and fast-moving and can overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This species does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, regular maintenance and a layout that balances open swimming areas with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them less settled and less colourful.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Occasional in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
