Can Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish Live Together?

Ideal Tank Mates

Yes, Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish are ideal tank mates. Both species share compatible water parameters and peaceful temperaments, making them well-suited for a community aquarium. A minimum tank size of 120 litres is recommended.


At a Glance

Blue Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia caerulea

New Guinea Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia affinis

🐟Family Group
Blue Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Rainbowfish
Temperament
Blue Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Blue Rainbowfish
24–28°C
New Guinea Rainbowfish
22–28°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
Blue Rainbowfish
7–8
New Guinea Rainbowfish
6.5–8
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Blue Rainbowfish
5–15
New Guinea Rainbowfish
5–15
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Blue Rainbowfish
Freshwater Only
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Blue Rainbowfish
Moderate
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 120 L
Blue Rainbowfish
110 L
New Guinea Rainbowfish
110 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
Blue Rainbowfish
MiddleTop
New Guinea Rainbowfish
MiddleTop
🏷️Behavior Tags
Blue Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Fry Predator
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)Aggressive Eater (Starves shy fish)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Blue Rainbowfish
New Guinea Rainbowfish
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Both Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish are peaceful species with an aggression score of 2/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: Blue Rainbowfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 120 litres with a minimum length of 90 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Densely covered, Plants - lighly covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish.

Show 9 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish live together?

Yes. Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish are considered ideal tank mates. Their water parameters, temperaments, and behaviour profiles are well matched for a community aquarium.

What size tank do Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish need?

A minimum of 120 litres (tank length at least 90 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish together?

Keep the aquarium between 24°C and 28°C. A target of around 26.0°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Blue Rainbowfish or New Guinea Rainbowfish aggressive?

Blue Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10) and New Guinea Rainbowfish is peaceful (2/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Blue Rainbowfish and New Guinea Rainbowfish need?

Both species overlap in the 7–8 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.


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