Pineapple Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia sp. 'Pineapple' is a vivid undescribed rainbowfish from West Papua that has earned its playful trade name from the remarkable golden-yellow base body colour combined with a distinctive grid-like or reticulated scale edge pattern that strongly evokes the surface of a pineapple fruit. The bright orange unpaired fins frame this unusual body pattern beautifully, and dominant males are among the most eye-catching undescribed Melanotaenia in the hobby.

As with other undescribed West Papuan rainbowfish, formal taxonomic description is pending and the species' exact systematic position has not been determined. It is available only through specialist importers and dedicated hobbyist breeders within the rainbowfish community. The small captive population makes responsible stewardship — documented breeding, pure-strain maintenance, and careful distribution — important.

Care follows standard moderate-altitude West Papuan rainbowfish parameters — clean, slightly alkaline, moderately hard water, a spacious planted aquarium, and a varied diet. The reticulated patterning is most vivid in well-maintained fish receiving regular live and frozen food supplementation.

Water: pH 7.0–8.0, temperature 23–28°C, moderately hard; regular water changes maintain grid pattern vividness. Tank: Minimum 120 L; planted aquarium with open midwater; moderate flow. Feeding: Quality flake and pellets; live and frozen daphnia and brine shrimp weekly to enhance patterning. Breeding: Egg scatterer on fine plants; document breeding groups; maintain pure strain. Compatibility: Peaceful community species; ideal with other West Papuan rainbowfish.