Rainbowfish are small to medium-sized freshwater fish from the family Melanotaeniidae, renowned for their vibrant, iridescent colours such as yellow, teal, red, green, and orange. A popular species is the Boeseman’s rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), distinguished by a blue-grey front and bright orange rear. These fish typically grow up to around 4.7 inches and are loved for their striking appearance.
The Rainbow Fish is a well-known children’s book by Marcus Pfister about a beautiful fish with shimmering, rainbow-coloured scales. The story teaches the values of sharing and friendship, as the Rainbow Fish learns to find happiness by giving some of his shiny scales to other fish, highlighting generosity and community.
Rainbowfish are generally peaceful and non-aggressive; however, males can display some natural aggression, especially during spawning. To minimise aggression, it's best to keep multiple males with a higher number of females, such as a ratio of three males to six females. This approach reduces the chance of fighting among males.
Rainbowfish are schooling fish and thrive when kept in groups of five or more. Keeping them in groups promotes natural social behaviours, reduces stress, and helps decrease aggression, ensuring the fish remain healthy and active.