Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
The Pagwi form of Melanotaenia affinis is a striking locality variant of the New Guinea Rainbowfish, admired for its sky-blue upper body, pale yellow to whitish lower half and the warm orange-red edging that develops around the dark lateral stripe as mature males colour up. In the aquarium it is an active, elegant rainbowfish that looks best in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm. It is a very attractive choice for a spacious freshwater community aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water and plenty of open swimming space.
Common Name:
Melanotaenia affinis “Pagwi”. It is also commonly referred to as the Pagwi Rainbowfish, Pagwi New Guinea Rainbowfish, New Guinea Rainbowfish, North New Guinea Rainbowfish, Northern Rainbowfish, and Red-finned Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia affinis
Maximum Size:
Up to 11–14 cm in length, with males usually growing deeper-bodied and showing stronger colour than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Pagwi form is a locality variant from northern New Guinea and is considered to have a much more limited range than the more widespread standard form of Melanotaenia affinis. The species as a whole is associated with clear rainforest streams, pools, swamps and vegetated waterways, often in areas with submerged wood, cover and moderate flow.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: moderate to fairly hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but very active. Males will posture and spar lightly with one another when displaying, especially if kept in a proper group, but this is usually normal rainbowfish behaviour rather than serious aggression.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, small pellets and frozen or live foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia, insect larvae and other small protein-rich foods. A mixed diet helps maintain both colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 120 litres, with a longer aquarium strongly preferred because this is an energetic, fast-swimming species that should be kept in a group.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planting, wood or structure around the edges for security. It tends to show its best colour and most confident behaviour when kept in a proper shoal rather than in pairs or trios.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that can handle an active, fast-swimming species. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, Corydoras and other calm community fish. Watch out for aggressive species, persistent fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is energetic enough to overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, good oxygenation and a layout that combines open swimming room with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them duller in colour and less settled in behaviour.
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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Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
The Pagwi form of Melanotaenia affinis is a striking locality variant of the New Guinea Rainbowfish, admired for its sky-blue upper body, pale yellow to whitish lower half and the warm orange-red edging that develops around the dark lateral stripe as mature males colour up. In the aquarium it is an active, elegant rainbowfish that looks best in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm. It is a very attractive choice for a spacious freshwater community aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water and plenty of open swimming space.
Common Name:
Melanotaenia affinis “Pagwi”. It is also commonly referred to as the Pagwi Rainbowfish, Pagwi New Guinea Rainbowfish, New Guinea Rainbowfish, North New Guinea Rainbowfish, Northern Rainbowfish, and Red-finned Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia affinis
Maximum Size:
Up to 11–14 cm in length, with males usually growing deeper-bodied and showing stronger colour than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Pagwi form is a locality variant from northern New Guinea and is considered to have a much more limited range than the more widespread standard form of Melanotaenia affinis. The species as a whole is associated with clear rainforest streams, pools, swamps and vegetated waterways, often in areas with submerged wood, cover and moderate flow.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: moderate to fairly hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but very active. Males will posture and spar lightly with one another when displaying, especially if kept in a proper group, but this is usually normal rainbowfish behaviour rather than serious aggression.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, small pellets and frozen or live foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia, insect larvae and other small protein-rich foods. A mixed diet helps maintain both colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 120 litres, with a longer aquarium strongly preferred because this is an energetic, fast-swimming species that should be kept in a group.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planting, wood or structure around the edges for security. It tends to show its best colour and most confident behaviour when kept in a proper shoal rather than in pairs or trios.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that can handle an active, fast-swimming species. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, Corydoras and other calm community fish. Watch out for aggressive species, persistent fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is energetic enough to overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, good oxygenation and a layout that combines open swimming room with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them duller in colour and less settled in behaviour.
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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Description
Pagwi Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia affinis
The Pagwi form of Melanotaenia affinis is a striking locality variant of the New Guinea Rainbowfish, admired for its sky-blue upper body, pale yellow to whitish lower half and the warm orange-red edging that develops around the dark lateral stripe as mature males colour up. In the aquarium it is an active, elegant rainbowfish that looks best in a proper group, where males can display to one another and show their best colour without causing real harm. It is a very attractive choice for a spacious freshwater community aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water and plenty of open swimming space.
Common Name:
Melanotaenia affinis “Pagwi”. It is also commonly referred to as the Pagwi Rainbowfish, Pagwi New Guinea Rainbowfish, New Guinea Rainbowfish, North New Guinea Rainbowfish, Northern Rainbowfish, and Red-finned Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia affinis
Maximum Size:
Up to 11–14 cm in length, with males usually growing deeper-bodied and showing stronger colour than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Pagwi form is a locality variant from northern New Guinea and is considered to have a much more limited range than the more widespread standard form of Melanotaenia affinis. The species as a whole is associated with clear rainforest streams, pools, swamps and vegetated waterways, often in areas with submerged wood, cover and moderate flow.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: moderate to fairly hard water
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but very active. Males will posture and spar lightly with one another when displaying, especially if kept in a proper group, but this is usually normal rainbowfish behaviour rather than serious aggression.
Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet of quality flakes, small pellets and frozen or live foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia, insect larvae and other small protein-rich foods. A mixed diet helps maintain both colour and condition.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 120 litres, with a longer aquarium strongly preferred because this is an energetic, fast-swimming species that should be kept in a group.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-water rainbowfish that thrives in open swimming space with planting, wood or structure around the edges for security. It tends to show its best colour and most confident behaviour when kept in a proper shoal rather than in pairs or trios.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Best kept in a group of at least 6–8 with other peaceful, similarly sized fish that can handle an active, fast-swimming species. Good companions include other rainbowfish, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, Corydoras and other calm community fish. Watch out for aggressive species, persistent fin-nippers and very timid nano fish, as this species is energetic enough to overwhelm quieter tankmates even without being truly aggressive.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
This fish does best in a mature aquarium with excellent water quality, good oxygenation and a layout that combines open swimming room with planted or structured cover. Keeping them in too small a group often leaves them duller in colour and less settled in behaviour.
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.
