Macculloch's Rainbowfish

About

Macculloch's Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia maccullochi) is one of the smaller members of its genus, but it more than makes up for its modest size with the lively color displays males put on when kept in a proper group. In the wild, this species comes from the lowland swamps, small creeks, and Pandanus wetlands of northeastern Australia, where it shares the water with other rainbowfish and small gudgeons among dense vegetation and submerged debris. That natural preference for cover translates well to the planted aquarium. Like most rainbowfish, Macculloch's can be quite skittish if kept in small numbers, so a shoal of six or more is really the minimum to help these fish settle in and behave naturally. Males kept alongside rivals will regularly fan out their fins and show off their best coloration, which is when this species looks its finest. It's a genuinely peaceful fish that works well in community setups with similarly-sized companions. Other small rainbowfish, danios, characins, dwarf cichlids, and Corydoras are all reasonable choices. One thing worth knowing: several geographical color forms exist, and they can hybridize, so mixing variants from different localities isn't recommended. Breeding is achievable but raising the fry takes some patience, placing this species comfortably in the intermediate care category.