The Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) is a stunning freshwater fish prized for its vibrant coloration, where the front half of the body is bluish and the rear half is bright orange to reddish. Peaceful and active, it is a favorite among community tank enthusiasts.
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The Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) is a stunning freshwater fish prized for its vibrant coloration, where the front half of the body is bluish and the rear half is bright orange to reddish. Peaceful and active, it is a favorite among community tank enthusiasts.
Front half of the body is metallic blue, rear half is orange to reddish. Laterally compressed body, forked tail, and streamlined shape. Males are more colorful and develop brighter orange-red coloration with age. Females are slightly duller and smaller.
5–8 years with proper care
Omnivorous; feeds on high-quality flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Supplement with live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Occasional blanched vegetables are beneficial for health.
Boesemani Rainbowfish are ideal for aquarists seeking vibrant, peaceful, and active schooling fish. They thrive in community setups with open swimming areas, moderate planting, and compatible tankmates.
Intermediate – requires stable water parameters, schooling, and proper nutrition.
30+ gallons (for small school)
7.0 to 8.0
8–15 dGH
75–82°F (24–28°C)
4–5 inches
Tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, and other rainbowfish. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.
Aggressive or fin-nipping species. Very small fish that may be stressed by active schooling behavior.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Melanotaeniidae
West Papua, Indonesia – lakes and calm rivers.
Highly social; best kept in schools of 6 or more. Peaceful and compatible with other active community fish.
Feed 2–3 times daily with flakes, pellets, and frozen/live foods. Supplement occasionally with blanched vegetables for a balanced diet.
Egg-scatterer; sets up breeding mops or fine-leaved plants in a separate tank. Eggs are not guarded by adults. Condition male and female with protein-rich foods before spawning.
pH: 7.0–8.0, Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C), Hardness: 8–15 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm
Sensitive to poor water quality. Prone to stress, ich, and bacterial infections. Maintain regular water changes and high-quality diet.
Peaceful, active, and schooling. Best kept in groups of 6 or more to promote natural behavior and display vibrant colors. Compatible with other peaceful community fish.
Native to West Papua, Indonesia, Boesemani Rainbowfish inhabit lakes and calm rivers. Adults can reach 4–5 inches. They require a minimum tank size of 30 gallons for a small school, with open swimming space and moderate planting. Providing high-quality food, stable water conditions, and a well-maintained aquarium ensures vibrant coloration and active schooling behavior. Boesemani Rainbowfish are a centerpiece species in community tanks due to their striking bi-color pattern.