Boeseman's Rainbowfish

About

Boeseman's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) is one of the most visually distinctive freshwater fish in the hobby, with a color pattern that looks almost too good to be natural. The front half of the body wears cool blue-grey tones while the rear half blazes in deep orange and red, with a gradient where the two zones meet. Wild populations are confined to a tiny area of western New Guinea, specifically the Ajamaru Lakes system in Indonesia's Vogelkop Peninsula, where the lakes drain eventually toward the Ceram Sea. That restricted range and pressure from wild collection have pushed the species onto the IUCN endangered list, so virtually every fish you'll find for sale has been farm-raised rather than wild-caught. One thing to keep in mind at the shop: juveniles look nothing like the adults in the photos. The drab youngsters sold at most stores need a year or more of good feeding before their full colors develop, so patience pays off. In the aquarium, this is an active, peaceful schooling fish that does best in groups of at least six to eight. Males kept together will constantly display and compete, which is actually what coaxes out their richest coloration. Their quick, energetic movements can occasionally unsettle very small or slow-moving tankmates, so similarly-sized companions like other rainbowfish, barbs, danios, or corydoras are sensible choices. A forgiving species for newer keepers, provided the group is large enough.