With its almond-shaped body and iridescent blue scales, the dwarf neon rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a beautiful addition to the tropical community tank. These colorful nano fish are particularly striking in large schools, shining and flashing as they move throughout the tank.
Species Snapshot
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Species Name: Melanotaenia praecox
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Common Names: Dwarf neon rainbowfish, diamond rainbowfish, Praecox rainbowfish
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Size: Up to 3 inches
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Lifespan: 3-5 years
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Native Distribution: Mamberamo River
If you’re looking for an active and attractive species to feature in your next freshwater community tank, consider the dwarf neon rainbowfish. Here’s what you need to know about their care.
Anatomy and Appearance
The characteristic that makes rainbowfish easy to identify is the almond-like shape of their bodies and the neon dwarf rainbowfish is no different. These fish grow up to three inches in length, and they’re covered in iridescent scales.
Females of the species are generally silver in color with yellow fins, while males tend to be more brightly colored—blue with red-orange fins.
The dwarf neon rainbowfish’s body shape gives them a hydrodynamic advantage, making them fast, active swimmers. They’re peaceful fish that get along well with other mild-mannered species but they look best when kept with six or more of their own kind.
A ratio of 1-2 females for every male dwarf neon rainbowfish helps keep the peace while encouraging the males to show their brightest coloration.
Ideal Aquarium Setup
The dwarf neon rainbowfish is endemic to a single river system in Indonesia—the Mamberamo River in Western New Guinea. They’re tropical fish, used to inhabiting warm, quick-flowing waterways heavy with vegetation. In the home aquarium, dwarf neon rainbowfish prefer planted tank setups.
Tank Size
While the dwarf neon rainbowfish only grows to a maximum length of around three inches, their schooling preferences are important to keep in mind when choosing a tank.
The minimum recommended tank size for a group of six is 29 gallons. A 20-gallon long tank might be appropriate, as long as it’s not overstocked. This species is very active, so long tanks are preferable to tall ones.
Water Parameters
Given their tropical natural habitat, dwarf neon rainbowfish prefer water in the 74-80°F range. They’re relatively hardy (especially tank-bred species), capable of tolerating a range of pH levels and degrees of water hardness. That being said, they prefer hard over soft water and like the pH to be slightly on the alkaline side.
· Temperature: 74-80°F
· pH Level: 6.8-7.5
· KH: 8-12 dKH
A well-maintained aquarium with stable water conditions is essential, so be sure your tank is equipped with a reliable filtration system. Keep in mind as well that these fish tend to prefer a moderate to high degree of flow, so consider a filter with an adjustable flow rate.
Make sure your tank has a heater installed as well, to help keep the tank temperature within the ideal range.
Tank Décor
Dwarf neon rainbowfish prefer planted tanks that mirror the conditions in their native habitat. In addition to plenty of live plants, decorate your tank with natural elements like driftwood and rocks. Your rainbowfish will appreciate having some floating plants to swim among the roots but make sure there’s enough open space for swimming in the middle of the tank as well.
Consider using a dark background in your aquarium to allow your rainbowfish to really shine. Bright lighting will help show off your fish and provide the energy a densely planted tank needs to thrive.
Diet and Feeding
The dwarf neon rainbowfish is an omnivore and, because most specimens available in the aquarium trade are tank-bred, they’re relatively easy to feed. Offer your fish a varied fish food diet of commercial flakes and pellets, prioritizing foods that either float or sink slowly.
Rainbowfish are active swimmers but they tend to prefer the middle to upper levels of the tank, so they might not chase down foods that sink too quickly.
Your fish will also appreciate supplemental fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried foods. Opt for smaller fare like brine shrimp and bloodworms that your rainbowfish will have no trouble eating.
Try to offer small amounts of food at a time so you don’t end up with leftovers that might break down and negatively impact the water quality in your tank.
Temperament and Tank Mates
Like other rainbowfish species, dwarf neons are mild-tempered fish. They do best when kept with groups of their own kind but are compatible with most other peaceful community fish.
Because they’re fast swimmers, dwarf neon rainbowfish may be able to hold their own against semi-aggressive fish like angelfish but avoid keeping them with very large or carnivorous species.
Breeding Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
In a mature aquarium, dwarf neon rainbowfish may spawn easily with little intervention. These fish are egg scatterers and don’t show any parental care, so if you want to see some of the fry survive you may need to take some precautions.
Planting moss or carpet-style plants like Monte Carlo or Micro Sword along the bottom of the tank can give the fry some early cover. Many breeders like to raise the fry separately until they’re big enough to hold their own.
You can try placing a spawning mop in the tank and moving the eggs to a rearing tank once the fish have spawned. Another option is to simply move the spawning mop full of eggs to an isolation tank that hangs inside the main aquarium.
Airflow is essential to prevent fungus while the eggs develop, and you might even add a few drops of methylene blue to protect the eggs. Dwarf neon rainbowfish eggs hatch after about 7 days and will need to be fed very small foods several times a day. You’ll also need to perform regular water changes to keep the water in the fry tank clean.
Wrapping up
With their bright coloration and active swimming style, dwarf neon rainbowfish are a joy to keep in the home aquarium. Whether you’re looking to add some visual intrigue to your tank or introduce a little energy, this is a great species to consider – and Shrimpy Business has your back!
We’ve got a carefully curated selection of healthy fish and high-quality supplies to help you build the perfect setup. Contact us today and let us help you find everything you need to keep your tank thriving.