Kali Tawa Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Sp. "Kali Tawa"
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”)
The Kali Tawa Rainbowfish is a rare and highly attractive dwarf rainbowfish, prized for its shimmering blue body tones, bright red tail and contrasting pale white to bluish fins. It is an undescribed Melanotaenia species, meaning it has not yet been given a full formal scientific species name. First introduced to the aquarium hobby around 2019, this small New Guinea rainbowfish has quickly become highly desirable among rainbowfish keepers due to its compact size, peaceful nature and striking adult male colouration.
Common Name:
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as Tawa Stream Rainbowfish, Kali Tawa Dwarf Rainbowfish or Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”
Maximum Size:
Usually around 6–7 cm in captivity, although older specimens may occasionally grow slightly larger.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is associated with the Tawa stream near Lobo Village in New Guinea. The name “Kali Tawa” refers to the Tawa stream locality, with “kali” meaning stream or river in Indonesian usage. Collection notes suggest the fish naturally stays close to sheltered bankside areas with roots, debris and cover rather than remaining constantly in open water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. It is active but not aggressive, and is best kept with other calm, similarly sized fish that will not bully it or outcompete it.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. A varied diet will help bring out the best colour and condition in mature males.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 100–120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8 or more. Males display their strongest colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted edges, wood, root-style décor and an open central swimming area. Like many rainbowfish, it may jump when startled, so a secure lid is recommended.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and works well with other small-to-medium community fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers and very boisterous tank mates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted sides, floating plants to diffuse bright lighting, bogwood, root-style cover and plenty of open swimming room. If breeding or maintaining the line, avoid mixing Kali Tawa Rainbowfish with other undescribed Melanotaenia locality forms to preserve pure stock.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock
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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Kali Tawa Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Sp. "Kali Tawa"
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Sp. "Kali Tawa"
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”)
The Kali Tawa Rainbowfish is a rare and highly attractive dwarf rainbowfish, prized for its shimmering blue body tones, bright red tail and contrasting pale white to bluish fins. It is an undescribed Melanotaenia species, meaning it has not yet been given a full formal scientific species name. First introduced to the aquarium hobby around 2019, this small New Guinea rainbowfish has quickly become highly desirable among rainbowfish keepers due to its compact size, peaceful nature and striking adult male colouration.
Common Name:
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as Tawa Stream Rainbowfish, Kali Tawa Dwarf Rainbowfish or Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”
Maximum Size:
Usually around 6–7 cm in captivity, although older specimens may occasionally grow slightly larger.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is associated with the Tawa stream near Lobo Village in New Guinea. The name “Kali Tawa” refers to the Tawa stream locality, with “kali” meaning stream or river in Indonesian usage. Collection notes suggest the fish naturally stays close to sheltered bankside areas with roots, debris and cover rather than remaining constantly in open water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. It is active but not aggressive, and is best kept with other calm, similarly sized fish that will not bully it or outcompete it.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. A varied diet will help bring out the best colour and condition in mature males.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 100–120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8 or more. Males display their strongest colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted edges, wood, root-style décor and an open central swimming area. Like many rainbowfish, it may jump when startled, so a secure lid is recommended.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and works well with other small-to-medium community fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers and very boisterous tank mates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted sides, floating plants to diffuse bright lighting, bogwood, root-style cover and plenty of open swimming room. If breeding or maintaining the line, avoid mixing Kali Tawa Rainbowfish with other undescribed Melanotaenia locality forms to preserve pure stock.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock
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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Description
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”)
The Kali Tawa Rainbowfish is a rare and highly attractive dwarf rainbowfish, prized for its shimmering blue body tones, bright red tail and contrasting pale white to bluish fins. It is an undescribed Melanotaenia species, meaning it has not yet been given a full formal scientific species name. First introduced to the aquarium hobby around 2019, this small New Guinea rainbowfish has quickly become highly desirable among rainbowfish keepers due to its compact size, peaceful nature and striking adult male colouration.
Common Name:
Kali Tawa Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as Tawa Stream Rainbowfish, Kali Tawa Dwarf Rainbowfish or Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa”
Maximum Size:
Usually around 6–7 cm in captivity, although older specimens may occasionally grow slightly larger.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is associated with the Tawa stream near Lobo Village in New Guinea. The name “Kali Tawa” refers to the Tawa stream locality, with “kali” meaning stream or river in Indonesian usage. Collection notes suggest the fish naturally stays close to sheltered bankside areas with roots, debris and cover rather than remaining constantly in open water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. It is active but not aggressive, and is best kept with other calm, similarly sized fish that will not bully it or outcompete it.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. A varied diet will help bring out the best colour and condition in mature males.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 100–120 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8 or more. Males display their strongest colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted edges, wood, root-style décor and an open central swimming area. Like many rainbowfish, it may jump when startled, so a secure lid is recommended.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and works well with other small-to-medium community fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other non-aggressive fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers and very boisterous tank mates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted sides, floating plants to diffuse bright lighting, bogwood, root-style cover and plenty of open swimming room. If breeding or maintaining the line, avoid mixing Kali Tawa Rainbowfish with other undescribed Melanotaenia locality forms to preserve pure stock.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock
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.
