Van Heurn's Rainbowfish

About

Van Heurn's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia vanheurni) is one of the lesser-known members of its family, found only in a small stretch of river systems in the highlands of Irian Jaya, western New Guinea. Specifically the Taritatu and Doorman Rivers. That restricted natural range makes it an uncommon sight in the hobby, and hobbyists who do track it down tend to treat it as something of a collector's fish. Like most rainbowfish, it has that characteristic deep, laterally compressed body and the two dorsal fins that define the group, and males develop richer coloration as they mature and spar with rivals. It can grow on the larger end for a rainbowfish, so a spacious tank is a real requirement rather than a suggestion, and it appreciates plenty of open water to move through. As an omnivore it accepts a wide range of prepared and live foods without fuss. The temperament is peaceful and sociable in the way rainbowfish generally are, meaning it does best in a group and mixes well with similarly sized tankmates. Intermediate-level experience is a reasonable expectation, mostly because of the space requirements and the importance of maintaining clean, well-oxygenated water.