Skull Creek Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia sahulensis "Moa Island"
Skull Creek Rainbowfish – Moa Island / Skull Creek Locality (Melanotaenia sahulensis)
The Skull Creek Rainbowfish is a beautiful dwarf rainbowfish from northern Australia and nearby Sahul-region freshwater habitats, only formally described in 2019. The Moa Island / Skull Creek locality form is especially attractive, showing a silvery to grey body with bold dark horizontal striping and contrasting dorsal and anal fins that can develop yellow, orange, red and dark edging in mature males. This is a peaceful, active shoaling species that is well suited to a planted community aquarium, especially for keepers who appreciate rarer Australian rainbowfish locality forms.
Common Name:
Sahul Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as the Skull Creek Rainbowfish, Moa Island Rainbowfish or Sahul Dwarf Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sahulensis “Moa Island / Skull Creek”
Maximum Size:
Around 5–6 cm in captivity, making it one of the smaller rainbowfish species. Mature males may appear deeper-bodied and more colourful than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is found across parts of northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea. The Skull Creek form is associated with the Cape York area near Bamaga, while Moa Island is part of the Torres Strait island region. In the wild, Sahul Rainbowfish are associated with swampy creeks, floodplain systems, dune lakes, lily lagoons and densely vegetated freshwater habitats, often in softer, more acidic water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 5.8–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and social. It is best kept with other calm, small-to-medium freshwater fish that will not bully it or outcompete it. Like many rainbowfish, males may display to each other, but this is usually harmless when kept in a proper group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules and frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and mosquito larvae. Regular small foods help support colour, condition and natural displaying behaviour.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 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 8, ideally 10 or more. Males show their best colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted margins, open swimming areas and stable water quality. A secure lid is recommended, as rainbowfish can jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. Good tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other calm fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Avoid aggressive fish, large predators, fin nippers and very boisterous species.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted cover, floating plants, darker substrate and open swimming space. Although adaptable in captivity, this species naturally occurs in softer, often acidic habitats, so sudden swings in pH, hardness or temperature should be avoided.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / 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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Skull Creek Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia sahulensis "Moa Island"
Skull Creek Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia sahulensis "Moa Island"
Skull Creek Rainbowfish – Moa Island / Skull Creek Locality (Melanotaenia sahulensis)
The Skull Creek Rainbowfish is a beautiful dwarf rainbowfish from northern Australia and nearby Sahul-region freshwater habitats, only formally described in 2019. The Moa Island / Skull Creek locality form is especially attractive, showing a silvery to grey body with bold dark horizontal striping and contrasting dorsal and anal fins that can develop yellow, orange, red and dark edging in mature males. This is a peaceful, active shoaling species that is well suited to a planted community aquarium, especially for keepers who appreciate rarer Australian rainbowfish locality forms.
Common Name:
Sahul Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as the Skull Creek Rainbowfish, Moa Island Rainbowfish or Sahul Dwarf Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sahulensis “Moa Island / Skull Creek”
Maximum Size:
Around 5–6 cm in captivity, making it one of the smaller rainbowfish species. Mature males may appear deeper-bodied and more colourful than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is found across parts of northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea. The Skull Creek form is associated with the Cape York area near Bamaga, while Moa Island is part of the Torres Strait island region. In the wild, Sahul Rainbowfish are associated with swampy creeks, floodplain systems, dune lakes, lily lagoons and densely vegetated freshwater habitats, often in softer, more acidic water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 5.8–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and social. It is best kept with other calm, small-to-medium freshwater fish that will not bully it or outcompete it. Like many rainbowfish, males may display to each other, but this is usually harmless when kept in a proper group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules and frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and mosquito larvae. Regular small foods help support colour, condition and natural displaying behaviour.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 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 8, ideally 10 or more. Males show their best colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted margins, open swimming areas and stable water quality. A secure lid is recommended, as rainbowfish can jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. Good tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other calm fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Avoid aggressive fish, large predators, fin nippers and very boisterous species.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted cover, floating plants, darker substrate and open swimming space. Although adaptable in captivity, this species naturally occurs in softer, often acidic habitats, so sudden swings in pH, hardness or temperature should be avoided.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / 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: $17.55
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$6.14Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
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Description
Skull Creek Rainbowfish – Moa Island / Skull Creek Locality (Melanotaenia sahulensis)
The Skull Creek Rainbowfish is a beautiful dwarf rainbowfish from northern Australia and nearby Sahul-region freshwater habitats, only formally described in 2019. The Moa Island / Skull Creek locality form is especially attractive, showing a silvery to grey body with bold dark horizontal striping and contrasting dorsal and anal fins that can develop yellow, orange, red and dark edging in mature males. This is a peaceful, active shoaling species that is well suited to a planted community aquarium, especially for keepers who appreciate rarer Australian rainbowfish locality forms.
Common Name:
Sahul Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as the Skull Creek Rainbowfish, Moa Island Rainbowfish or Sahul Dwarf Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Melanotaenia sahulensis “Moa Island / Skull Creek”
Maximum Size:
Around 5–6 cm in captivity, making it one of the smaller rainbowfish species. Mature males may appear deeper-bodied and more colourful than females.
Water Type:
Freshwater
Origin / Natural Habitat:
This species is found across parts of northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea. The Skull Creek form is associated with the Cape York area near Bamaga, while Moa Island is part of the Torres Strait island region. In the wild, Sahul Rainbowfish are associated with swampy creeks, floodplain systems, dune lakes, lily lagoons and densely vegetated freshwater habitats, often in softer, more acidic water.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 5.8–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Temperament:
Peaceful and social. It is best kept with other calm, small-to-medium freshwater fish that will not bully it or outcompete it. Like many rainbowfish, males may display to each other, but this is usually harmless when kept in a proper group.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality fine flake, micro pellets, small granules and frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and mosquito larvae. Regular small foods help support colour, condition and natural displaying behaviour.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 80 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 8, ideally 10 or more. Males show their best colour when kept with females and rival males, especially in a mature aquarium with planted margins, open swimming areas and stable water quality. A secure lid is recommended, as rainbowfish can jump when startled.
Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. Good tank mates include small rainbowfish, peaceful rasboras, tetras, Corydoras, small loaches, dwarf cichlids and other calm fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Avoid aggressive fish, large predators, fin nippers and very boisterous species.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, good oxygenation and regular maintenance. It appreciates planted cover, floating plants, darker substrate and open swimming space. Although adaptable in captivity, this species naturally occurs in softer, often acidic habitats, so sudden swings in pH, hardness or temperature should be avoided.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Rare / 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.
