Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia boesemani, Boeseman's Rainbowfish, is arguably the most famous of all rainbowfish — its body is split dramatically between a blue-to-purple front half and a vivid orange-red rear half. Endemic to the Ajamaru Lakes in West Papua, Indonesia. Males colour up most intensely at dawn or when displaying to females. A schooling species that demands good diet, high oxygen, and regular water changes to maintain peak condition. Wild populations are threatened; most available fish are responsibly captive-bred.

School of 6+, mixed sex. Temperature 24–28 °C. Slightly hard, neutral to alkaline water ideal. Varied diet: quality flake, spirulina, frozen bloodworm. Excellent surface aeration. Strong but gentle flow. 150 L for a good school.