Turquoise Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
Turquoise Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) — Easy care, Peaceful, under Rainbowfish. Minimum tank in the app: 48 US gal min; aim for 75–82°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
Papua New Guinea
- Australia & Oceania
Regional colours match the stocking calculator’s origin map.
Turquoise Rainbowfish Tank Setup
Plan for at least 48 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 75–82°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 Turquoise 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.
Turquoise Rainbowfish Tank Mates
Temperament in the data: Peaceful. Fast swimmer; best in 120cm+ tanks Plug your full stock list into the stocking calculator—single-species compatibility scores are hints, not a whole-tank verdict.
Are Turquoise Rainbowfishs Good for Beginners?
Often a sensible first fish once the tank is cycled and you are willing to test water sometimes. Skip the impulse buy on the same day you set up the tank.
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.