A stunning, highly active schooling fish endemic to Lake Holmes (Danau Bira) in Papua, Indonesia. Known for its distinct dual-coloration, with the front half being greenish-blue and the back half turning a vibrant red/orange. They are famously active darters and require long tanks with significant open swimming space and well-oxygenated water.
Bleher's Rainbowfish At a Glance
Bleher's Rainbowfish Tank Requirements
Will Bleher's Rainbowfish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Bleher's Rainbowfish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Bleher's Rainbowfish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
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Bleher's Rainbowfish Water Parameters
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Bleher's Rainbowfish Temperament & Compatibility
Bleher's Rainbowfish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Male
Males are slightly larger, deeper-bodied, and display the spectacular intense red/orange posterior coloration, especially during morning spawning displays. They frequently spar harmlessly with other males to establish hierarchy.
Differs in 3 traits from base species
Also known as: Show Male, Adult Male
Female
Females are slightly smaller, more slender, and display a subdued, overall silvery-greenish hue. They are essential to keeping a balanced shoal (recommend a 1:1 or 1:2 male to female ratio) to disperse male attention.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Female
Bleher's Rainbowfish Care Guide Summary
The Bleher's Rainbowfish, scientifically known as Chilatherina bleheri, belongs to the Rainbowfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 12 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the surface and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a medium level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Bleher's Rainbowfish requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 200 litres and a tank length of at least 120 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 29°C, with a pH range of 7–8 and a general hardness of 5–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Bleher's Rainbowfish is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 2 varieties: Male and Female. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Bleher's Rainbowfish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Bleher's Rainbowfish, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the surface and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include light plant coverage for partial shade. Keepers should note that a tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper.
Bleher's Rainbowfish Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Bleher's Rainbowfish is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the surface and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Bleher's Rainbowfish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Bleher's Rainbowfish.
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
125 Gallon Standard
150 Gallon High
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bleher's Rainbowfish
How big does Bleher's Rainbowfish get?
Bleher's Rainbowfish (Chilatherina bleheri) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 12 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Bleher's Rainbowfish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 200 litres and a tank length of at least 120 cm are recommended for Bleher's Rainbowfish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Bleher's Rainbowfish need?
Bleher's Rainbowfish thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–29°C, a pH between 7 and 8, and a general hardness of 5–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Bleher's Rainbowfish peaceful or aggressive?
Bleher's Rainbowfish is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Bleher's Rainbowfish should be kept together?
Bleher's Rainbowfish is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Bleher's Rainbowfish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Bleher's Rainbowfish benefits from plants - lighly covered in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Does Bleher's Rainbowfish need a lid on the tank?
Yes. Bleher's Rainbowfish is a known jumper, and a tight-fitting lid or cover is essential to prevent escape. Even a small gap can be enough for a determined fish to leap out.
Top Tank Mates for Bleher's Rainbowfish
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Bleher's Rainbowfish based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Dainty Cory (Salt and Pepper Cory)
Corydoras habrosus
Ideal Tank MatesZebra Shovelnose (Tigrinus Catfish)
Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
Ideal Tank MatesEmerald Green Cory
Corydoras splendens
Ideal Tank MatesAngelicus Botia
Botia kubotai
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesAgassiz Cory
Corydoras agassizii
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Bleher's Rainbowfish
These plants pair well with Bleher's Rainbowfish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Belinda's Buce
Bucephalandra belindae
Fish Similar to Bleher's Rainbowfish
Blue Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia caerulea
A small, highly active, and colorful schooling fish native to the Kikori River system in Papua New Guinea. They are peaceful but require ample swimming space and a school of their own kind to thrive. Like most rainbowfish, they appreciate well-oxygenated, flowing water and are excellent jumpers. Males develop a striking blue hue with reddish horizontal stripes.
Turquoise Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
A stunning, deep-bodied rainbowfish endemic to Lake Kutubu in Papua New Guinea. Famous for their ability to shift colors from deep teal to bright iridescent blue depending on mood and water quality. They are active schooling fish that thrive in hard, alkaline water.
Boeseman's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
An incredibly popular and active schooling fish endemic to the Ajamaru Lakes in West Papua, Indonesia (currently listed as Endangered in the wild by the IUCN due to overfishing and habitat loss, though commercially captive-bred). Famous for the mature male's spectacular blue and orange split-coloration. They require long tanks for active swimming, excellent oxygenation, and warm, hard, alkaline water to thrive.
Celebes Rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
An active, schooling fish native to the karst (limestone) streams of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known for their striking neon blue lateral stripes and yellowish fins. They strictly require hard, alkaline water to thrive and are highly sensitive to soft, acidic conditions. A peaceful species that requires plenty of open swimming space.
Red Rainbowfish
Glossolepis incisus
Native to Lake Sentani in Indonesia, this species is famous for the brilliant salmon-red coloration of mature males. They are large, active schooling fish that develop a distinct high-arched back as they age. Females are vastly different in appearance (olive-gold). They require hard, alkaline water and plenty of swimming space.
Batanta Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia batanta
A stunning, active shoaling fish endemic to Batanta Island in West Papua, Indonesia. They inhabit clear, moderately fast-flowing rainforest streams. Like most rainbowfish, they are highly social, energetic swimmers that require plenty of horizontal swimming space and clean, well-oxygenated water. Males exhibit striking blueish coloration with narrow orange stripes. The species is considered Vulnerable in the wild.