Melanotaenia praecox

6. July 2021

The Diamond Rainbowfish – Melanotaenia praecox – is one of the smallest species of the actual rainbowfishes and grows only 6-7 cm long. It shows already from 3 cm length its splendid iridescent body coloration. That is why it is one of the most popular species in the trade. With age the males become high-backed and then the red in the vertical fins develops even more intensively. 

Since Melanotaenia praecox is only found on the island of New Guinea and there only in a small area in the western half of the island called Irian Jaya, all Diamond Rainbowfishes in the trade are descended from a few animals. Carelessly raised animals are susceptible to disease, well raised ones are not.

For our customers: the animals have code 428601 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer