Running River Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia runningriverensis
Running River Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia runningriverensis) — Intermediate care, Peaceful, under Rainbowfish. Minimum tank in the app: 40 US gal min; aim for 73–82°F and pH 6.5–8. Details below match the app.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Australia
- Australia & Oceania
Regional colours match the stocking calculator’s origin map.
Running River Rainbowfish Tank Setup
Plan for at least 40 US gal min of water—that is the minimum in our database for a workable setup, not a challenge to crowd fish. Aim to hold 73–82°F and pH 6.5–8 without daily drama. These fish use the Mid-top zone most, so put wood, plants, or open water there accordingly.
What Do Running River Rainbowfishs Eat?
We record diet as Omnivore. Offer a few food types that match—dry, frozen, or gel—and swap now and then. One flake every day for a year is how dull color and gut trouble creep in.
Running River Rainbowfish Tank Mates
Temperament in the data: Peaceful. Benefits from flow and oxygenation; open swimming space Plug your full stock list into the stocking calculator—single-species compatibility scores are hints, not a whole-tank verdict.
Are Running River Rainbowfishs Good for Beginners?
We rate this as intermediate. Budget time for testing, maintenance, and watching behaviour if the water looks fine but the fish do not. If this would be your very first tank, start with something more forgiving and come back to this one.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Similar fish to consider
Log tests and reminders in App-aquatic—free, same data you see here.