Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish

Distribution:
   The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish was described by Munro in 1964. This fish is found only in Lake Kutubu and its outlet in southern Paupa New Guinea.

Status:
   The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: VU - vulnerable.

Description:
   The body type of the Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish is pretty consistent with that of its family. The body is long and it deepens as the fish ages. The heads' of older males don’t follow the round contour lines of the body, instead indenting to a narrow triangular head. Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish have large eyes and paired dorsal fins. These fish are capable of many colors. They are usually cobalt blue to teal on top, and fade through green to silver or yellow on the bottom. Starting at the back of the tail, this fish usually has a thin cobalt blue stripe that disappears around the middle of the body. Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish have the ability to change colors in a matter of seconds, and will display many different color patterns throughout the day. The fins have a slight bluish tinge, and may show black edges if the fish is in spawning condition. 

Size - Weight:
  Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish will generally reach about 5 inches (12 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish are omnivorous fish. They should be fed a balanced diet, including live and processed foods. Buy processed food in small amounts frequently as nutrition in these products quickly deteriorates. They should be treated with live foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex worms. These fish have small throats so they should be fed smaller foods.
   A rainbowfish tank can be quite spectacular with the proper technique. Although these adaptable fish would certainly be happy in most conditions, the color is best displayed with a little planning. A dark substrate and backing on the tank will bring out nicer colors and make them more secure. At least a third or half the tank should be open water, positioned in the middle to encourage the fish to swim there and give them a chance to show off their colors. Try, if possible, to plan for one or two hours of sunlight hitting the tank. This should be time when you can view the tank as the illumination will make the fish even more stunning.
   Rainbowfish are not exceptionally difficult to care for provided their water is kept clean. At least 25 - 50% of the tank water should be replaced weekly, especially if the tank is densely stocked. Because they are very active swimmers it is also advisable to keep these Rainbowfish in a tank at least 30 inches long and ideally 30 or more gallons. Eventually adults will need a larger tank, with 60 gallons or more being reasonable. The tank should be securely covered as these fish are skilled jumpers and will probably do so if given the opportunity.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish spend most of their time in the middle and upper levels of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Temperature: 70 - 79° F (21 - 28° C)
   Hardness: 8 - 25 dGH
   Ph: 7.0 - 8.5

Social Behaviors:
   The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish can adapt to life in a larger fish community aquarium, but is does exceptionally well in the geographical tank stocked with other rainbowfish. They should always be mixed with fish of a similar temperament and size range. These fish are by nature playful and boisterous. These behaviors can easily turn into violence and aggression with poorly chosen tank mates.
   As they are schooling fish, the ratio of males to females is very important to keep a reasonable peace among them. Although you can always keep single sex schools, you will see significantly better coloration if both genders are in the tank. The following is what we believe to be the optimal stocking numbers for schooling rainbowfish. Choose which type of school you want to keep and how many fish.

Sexual Differences:
   Sexing is difficult at the young age at which the fish is usually sold, but mature males will be more colorful, have the arched back described above, and will often be more aggressive.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   A breeding tank should be set up with soft acidic water, a sponge filter, and most importantly either many fine leaved plants or a spawning mop. A group of Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish, in a two female to three male ratio should be introduced into the breeding tank. They should be conditioned with live foods and plant based foods. Remember, you are trying to emulate the bounty of the flood season so feed more and higher quality food than you normally would.
   After the female has produced eggs, the males will display an amazing show of intense colors and direct the female to the spawning site, spawn, and then rest. The spawning mop or plants should be removed and replaced after the spawning or the eggs will be eaten. The fish will repeat this daily for a few days, with steadily decreasing numbers of eggs produced. The parents should be removed when egg numbers fall or if the females show signs of fatigue. The fry will hatch after a few days and should be fed infusoria or a liquid fry food until they are able to eat small live foods. The fry are something of a challenge to raise until they are about two months old.
   A problem to be aware of is crossbreeding. Rainbowfish in the wild will not breed with fish of another species, even when presented the opportunity to do so. But for some reason, rainbowfish of the Melanotaeniidae family in the aquarium will interbreed, often with undesirable results. Somehow the fry of mismatched parents lose most of their coloration. Since many of these species are rare, it is desirable to keep the bloodlines distinct, or risk losing the beautiful coloration that nature has taken thousands of years to develop.

Buy Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish From LiveAquaria.com

See an overview of how to breed Rainbowfish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish, also sold as the Turquoise Rainbowfish or the Blue Rainbowfish, is usually available wherever rainbowfish are sold for about $5.00 - $15.00 USD each.