A rare, energetic, and beautiful species native to the Reifafeif River on Yapen Island, Indonesia. They form midwater aggregations in main river channels over rocks and boulders. Like most large rainbowfishes, they are rapid, continuous swimmers that require long aquariums with moderate to high water flow and pristine, oxygen-rich conditions.
Price's Rainbowfish At a Glance
Price's Rainbowfish Tank Requirements
Will Price's Rainbowfish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Price's Rainbowfish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Price's Rainbowfish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Price's Rainbowfish Water Parameters
Water care products
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Price's Rainbowfish Temperament & Compatibility
Price's Rainbowfish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Juvenile / Unsexed
Like most rainbowfish, juveniles are usually sold relatively colorless and silvery. They take several months to mature and reveal their true adult colors.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Standard
Male
Males are significantly more colorful than females. As they mature, their body becomes noticeably deeper and more compressed. They display brightly to females in the mornings.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Adult Male, Breeder
Female
Females are more slender than males and remain noticeably less colorful (often silvery or pale). Keeping a ratio of 1 male to 1-2 females reduces harassment and encourages better male displays.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Adult Female
Price's Rainbowfish Care Guide Summary
The Price's Rainbowfish, scientifically known as Chilatherina pricei, belongs to the Rainbowfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 9 cm and have a fusiform 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 low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Price'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 28°C, with a pH range of 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 8–20 dGH. A high water flow is preferred.
The Price's Rainbowfish is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 3 varieties: Juvenile / Unsexed, 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.
Price's Rainbowfish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Price's Rainbowfish, a high 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 smooth gravel or rounded substrate to protect their sensitive barbels. Keepers should note that a tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper.
Price's Rainbowfish Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Price'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, shy or slow-feeding tankmates may be outcompeted at feeding time and 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.
Price's Rainbowfish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Price's Rainbowfish.
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
125 Gallon Standard
150 Gallon High
Price's Rainbowfish Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Price's Rainbowfish will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed and is an aggressive eater that may prevent timid tankmates from getting enough food, so target feeding or simultaneous feeding at opposite ends of the tank can help.
Feeding products
We may earn from qualifying purchases
.webp?2026-04-25T14%3A35%3A38.022Z)
Frequently Asked Questions About Price's Rainbowfish
How big does Price's Rainbowfish get?
Price's Rainbowfish (Chilatherina pricei) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 9 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Price's Rainbowfish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 200 litres and a tank length of at least 120 cm are recommended for Price's Rainbowfish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Price's Rainbowfish need?
Price's Rainbowfish thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 7 and 8.5, and a general hardness of 8–20 dGH. A high water flow is preferred.
Is Price's Rainbowfish peaceful or aggressive?
Price'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 Price's Rainbowfish should be kept together?
Price'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 Price's Rainbowfish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Price's Rainbowfish benefits from smooth gravel (sensitive barbels) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Does Price's Rainbowfish need a lid on the tank?
Yes. Price'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 Price's Rainbowfish
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Price'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 MatesAlligator Pleco
Pterygoplichthys scrophus
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Price's Rainbowfish
These plants pair well with Price's Rainbowfish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Water Fern
Bolbitis heudelotii
Boivin's Aponogeton
Aponogeton boivinianus
Capuron's Aponogeton
Aponogeton capuronii
Madagascar Lace Plant
Aponogeton madagascariensis
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Fish Similar to Price's Rainbowfish
Angfa Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia angfa
A beautiful and active schooling fish native to the Yakati River system in West Papua. Named in honor of the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA). Like many large rainbowfish, they are vigorous swimmers that require long aquariums to thrive. They display their best colors in well-planted tanks with clean, well-oxygenated water.
Allen's Rainbowfish
Chilatherina alleni
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to West Papua, Indonesia (Wapoga River basin). Known as the 'Wapoga Rainbowfish', they undergo a dramatic color transformation as they mature, developing intense metallic blues, greens, and reds. As exceptionally fast, continuous swimmers, they require a 4-foot (120cm) aquarium minimum to thrive without stress.
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.
Arfak Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia arfakensis
A lively and relatively rare schooling fish endemic to the fast-flowing streams of the Bird's Head Peninsula in West Papua. Known for their energetic swimming and beautiful subtle coloration, with dominant males displaying bright orange-red fins edged in black. As active swimmers, they require long aquariums with high oxygenation and moderate to high water flow.
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.
Bulolo Rainbowfish
Chilatherina bulolo
A rare and highly active rainbowfish native to the fast-flowing mountain streams and white-water rapids of the Markham and Ramu river systems in Papua New Guinea. They possess a silvery body with a distinct black streak on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin. Because of their specialized natural habitat, they require highly oxygenated, fast-flowing water and alkaline conditions to thrive in an aquarium.