The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) is known by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Turquoise Rainbow or Blue Rainbowfish, and is only found in Lake Kutubu and its outlet in the southern highlands in Papua New Guinea. Lake Kutubu is fed mostly from underground springs that filters through a limestone substrate which creates a highly alkaline (pH 8.5-9.0) environment for the species.
The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish is a strikingly colored fish with a beautiful intense cobalt blue or blue green (teal) on the upper half of the body,fading to a silvery white to gold on its lower half.
They have large eyes that is a characteristic of all rainbowfish, a black or silver band that runs through the middle row of scales at their lateral line, two dorsal fins and a deeply forked mouth.
Their fins have a slightly blue tinge with black edges that show up during spawning. Unlike other rainbowfish species, Melanotaenia lacustris is capable of rapidly changing its colors in a matter of seconds and can throughout the day can display many different color patterns.
Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish are very active swimmers and should be kept in a tank of at least 30 gallons however, because of their size when fully grown, a 55 gallon tank is recommended as the minimum for housing a school of adults.
Max. Size:4.9” Origin: Lake Kutubo, Papua New Guinea
Family: Melanotaeniidae Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Moderate
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Diet: Omnivore
Lifespan: 5-8 years