Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)

The Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) is one of the most striking community fish in the hobby, with a glowing blue-purple front half that fades into fiery orange across the back. Peaceful, hardy, and endlessly active, a school of mature males turns a planted tank into a moving rainbow. They are a great choice for beginners ready to step up from starter fish.

Browse the rest of our freshwater fish and freshwater livestock to build out a vibrant community tank.

Care Guide

Boesemani Rainbowfish are hardy and adaptable, with just a few keys to keeping them at their colorful best.

• Tank size. A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is best, and longer tanks are preferred. These are fast, active swimmers that need open horizontal space.
• Keep a school. House them in groups of six or more. Males color up as they compete with one another, so a larger group brings out the most vivid blues and oranges.
• Water. They prefer slightly alkaline, moderately hard to hard water at pH 7.0 to 8.0 and 74 to 82°F. Stable, clean water keeps colors bright.
• Diet. Omnivore. Feed a quality flake or micro pellet as a staple and supplement with frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms plus some vegetable matter. A varied diet deepens their color.
• Setup. Provide a planted tank with open swimming lanes, good filtration, and a tight-fitting lid, since rainbowfish can jump.
• Patience pays off. Juveniles look plain and silvery in the store. Their full color develops with age, good food, and the company of other rainbows.

Specifications

Compatibility

• A peaceful, active community fish. Pairs well with other rainbowfish, larger tetras, danios, peaceful barbs, rasboras, Corydoras, loaches, and peaceful gouramis.
• Keep a group of at least six to reduce shyness and bring out the best color.
• Avoid very small fish that fit in their mouth, and slow, long-finned tankmates that get outcompeted at feeding time.
• For cleanup, nerite snails and other Georgia-legal snails are a good fit.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake as a high-protein staple
• Seachem NutriDiet Chlorella Flakes for color and gut health
• SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp as a protein-rich treat
• Seachem Prime Complete to condition every water change
• Browse all of our fish foods to round out their diet

Frequently Asked Questions

How many should I keep?
At least six. Larger groups look far better, settle in faster, and color up more intensely as the males display to one another.

Why does my rainbowfish look dull?
Juveniles are plain and silvery in the tank. Brilliant color develops with age, a varied diet, and the company of other rainbows, so give them time.

What water conditions do they like?
Slightly alkaline, moderately hard water at pH 7.0 to 8.0 and 74 to 82°F. Stable, clean water keeps their colors vivid.

Are they peaceful?
Yes. They are peaceful and very active. Give them open swimming room and keep a lid on the tank, since they can jump.