Tami River Rainbowfish
Glossolepis pseudoincisus
A rare New Guinea rainbowfish from a single remote lake, never rediscovered.
About
The Tami River Rainbowfish (Glossolepis pseudoincisus) carries one of the more intriguing backstories in the hobby. This fish is known from a single collection made in 1954 from an isolated oxbow lake near the Tami River in what is now the Indonesian province of Papua. That lake has never yielded another confirmed collection since, which makes this species something of a mystery even to scientists. Like other members of the Glossolepis genus, it's an active, mid-water schooler that does best in a group, and males will posture and display toward each other in that characteristic rainbowfish way. All color and fin-flaring without much actual aggression. This behavioral dynamic makes a group particularly lively to watch, and giving them enough open water to move through really lets that energy come through. At a maximum of just over three inches, they're not a large fish, but a school needs a reasonably sized aquarium to thrive. Being an omnivore, they'll accept a wide range of prepared and live foods without much fuss. Care-level wise, they sit in intermediate territory. Not the hardest rainbowfish to keep, but probably not the best starting point if you're brand new to the group.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Tami River Rainbowfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Tami River Rainbowfish get?
- The Tami River Rainbowfish reaches about 2–3" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Tami River Rainbowfish need?
- A minimum of 45 gallons is recommended for the Tami River Rainbowfish, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Tami River Rainbowfish need?
- The Tami River Rainbowfish does best with a temperature of 72–75°F, a pH of 7–8, hardness around 9–19 dGH.
- Is the Tami River Rainbowfish aggressive?
- The Tami River Rainbowfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Tami River Rainbowfish eat?
- The Tami River Rainbowfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Tami River Rainbowfish live?
- With good care, the Tami River Rainbowfish typically lives 3-8 years.