Wapoga Red Rainbowfish (Chilatherina alleni)

The Wapoga Red Rainbowfish is a beautiful New Guinea rainbowfish, prized for its lively shoaling behaviour, elegant body shape and mature male colouration. Adult males can develop a warm red-orange glow through the body and fins, often with blue, turquoise, silver and darker lateral markings depending on age, mood, lighting and display condition. This is a peaceful, active freshwater fish that looks best in a spacious planted aquarium with open swimming room, clean water and a proper group of its own kind.

Common Name:
Wapoga Red Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as Wapoga Rainbowfish, Allen’s Rainbowfish, Alleni Rainbowfish or Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chilatherina alleni

Maximum Size:
Around 8–10 cm in captivity, with mature males usually becoming larger, deeper-bodied and more colourful than females.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to West Papua, Indonesia, where it is associated with the Wapoga region and nearby river systems. The species has been recorded from tributary streams with gravel, sand, leaf litter, submerged wood and log debris, ranging from clear to lightly stained or slightly turbid water. It is often linked with sunny sections of rainforest streams and creeks where fish have access to open swimming areas and natural cover.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.4
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water

Temperament:
Peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. Males may display strongly to one another, especially when mature and in breeding condition, but this is usually harmless when kept in a proper group with enough space.

Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small granules, micro pellets, colour-enhancing foods, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. A varied diet will help support strong colour, growth and natural display behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 200 litres, with a 4ft aquarium or larger preferred due to their active swimming behaviour.

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 show their best colours when kept with females and rival males, particularly in a mature aquarium with planted margins, open swimming space, moderate flow and stable water quality. 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 robust, non-aggressive community fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tank mates include other rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, danios, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos and calm dwarf cichlids. Avoid aggressive cichlids, persistent fin nippers, large predators and very shy species that may be stressed by its activity level.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, well-filtered aquarium with excellent oxygenation, regular maintenance and plenty of open swimming space. Planted sides, wood, darker substrate and good-quality lighting can help enhance colour while still leaving the central area open for swimming. If breeding or maintaining locality lines, avoid mixing Wapoga forms with other Chilatherina alleni strains to preserve clean bloodlines.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade, especially as a Wapoga locality form

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.