The dwarf neon rainbowfish is a bright species of fish that is seen in streams and freshwater rivers of Indonesia, Australia, West Papua, and New Guinea. It is an attractive-looking breed that is very vivacious and adds a splash of colors to its natural habitat as well as an aquarium. When kept in an aquarium, it is extremely important to maintain proper pH levels so that they remain healthy. The ideal pH level of water to keep this fish is 6.5-8.0. The temperature should be anywhere around 72- 86 F (22.2-30 C). They should be kept around aquatic plants and other fish in your home aquarium. Their brilliant colors can lift any mood and are certainly a great choice if you want to keep an aquarium full of unique and beautiful fish at home. This species is fairly common among people who have an eye for keeping aquariums at home and these fish are bred very often in an aquarium setting. If bred under proper conditions, they give birth to perfectly healthy and colorful fry that will definitely add beauty to your home.For more relatable content, check out these monkfish facts and bonito fish facts.
Fun Neon Rainbowfish Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
Neon Rainbowfish Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a neon rainbowfish?The neon rainbowfish is a member of the rainbowfish family that is most likely to be found in a domestic aquarium.What class of animal does a neon rainbowfish belong to?The dwarf neon rainbowfish belongs to the class of ‘fish’ and is a colorful fish that adds charm to marine life as well as an aquarium.How many neon rainbowfish are there in the world?Neon rainbowfish are found in abundance across the world. Hence, the exact number is not known.Where does a neon rainbowfish live?These dwarf neon rainbowfish can be spotted in freshwater habitats, marshes, and swamps. They assemble near aquatic vegetations or submerged logs and roots. They can also be seen in an aquarium in many households, zoos, or amusement parks.What is a neon rainbowfish’s habitat?The natural habitat of the neon dwarf rainbowfish is in the waters of New Guinea, and the Mamberamo region of West Papua, Indonesia. They can also be spotted in some places in Australia.Who does the neon rainbowfish live with?In their natural habitat, they live with other fish and freshwater creatures. In an aquarium, the neon rainbowfish can be kept with other small fish or larger tetras, barbs, rasboras, danios, catfish, and other non-aggressive aquatic creatures that are less likely to attack them.How long does a neon rainbowfish live?A dwarf neon rainbowfish can survive for three to five years if a healthy diet is maintained and if it is kept in a healthy aquarium with proper water conditions.How do they reproduce?Beguiling males choose a spot in the tank to spawn and start swimming speedily to bedazzle females in the chosen spot. Their bright red dorsal fins are kept upright so that they look strong and attractive to their female counterparts. Females watch males swim for some time until they decide whether she is interested in going to the spot chosen for spawning.Males often nudge the pelvic portion of females before spawning commences. The heads of these fishes are turned in the same direction until the eggs are released. Spawning mostly occurs during the early morning.Breeding these fishes is not a big task. A breeding tank with plants and slightly warmer water than normal is required for breeding. Water conditions need to be slightly hard and alkaline for the process of breeding. Remember to give these fish high-quality live food and frozen food so that they give birth to healthy fry. You must remember that sometimes these fish eat their own eggs, so it is advisable to take them out and put them in a separate tank after spawning.What is their conservation status?Thankfully these fish are listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List. Many people breed them at home in aquariums too, which is an added advantage when it comes to conserving them.Neon Rainbowfish Fun FactsWhat does a neon rainbowfish look like?This fish resembles a neon rainbow, which is why it is known by such a name. The fish is known as a dwarf neon rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox). Males and females are very easily distinguishable from each other. Males are usually more colorful and appealing than females. Males have bright red fins and enchanting blue eyes. They have small yet willowy bodies that make them look even more magnificent.Females are slightly less bright but are nonetheless a sight to behold. They, too, have iridescent scales and blue eyes. They are slightly smaller than their male counterparts and have a yellowish-orange tip on their fins.How cute are they?Their iridescent bodies and small size make them extremely vibrant and cute!How do they communicate?Just like humans, fish also have their unique ways of communicating with each other. No verified data on the exact way of communication of a dwarf rainbowfish is available; however, fish communicate by changing their colors, through movement and smell, as well as using electrical impulses.How big is a neon rainbowfish?A dwarf neon rainbowfish is 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm) in length. Its length is slightly bigger than guppy fish that are about 1-1.5 in (2.5-3.8 cm) long.How fast can a neon rainbowfish swim?No data on the exact speed of the dwarf neon rainbowfish is available.How much does a neon rainbowfish weigh?The exact weight of the dwarf neon rainbowfish is not known.What are the male and female names of the species?No separate names for males and females of the dwarf neon rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) have been assigned. Both males and females of this fish are known by the same name.What would you call a baby neon rainbowfish?Young ones of the dwarf neon rainbowfish are known as fry. They are born in batches of 5-30.What do they eat?Dwarf neon rainbowfish feed on an array of foods that have a huge range. From insects to plants, they eat them all. Usually, a diet based on both plants and meat would make an apt diet for these fish. It is typical for them to eat insects, algae, worms, or aquatic floating plants.A healthy diet for a dwarf neon rainbowfish comprises brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and blackworms. Additionally, they also eat flakes and micropellets. A diet that includes a mix of mosquito larvae, tubifex worms, live foods, frozen foods, and bloodworms helps maintain these fish extremely well and is best suited for them.Are they aggressive?The dwarf neon rainbowfish is very small in size and very peaceful. They are intelligent fish that exhibit beautiful colors and maintain a very high spirit. Although males might turn out to be a little more aggressive towards each other, they are more or less very active and very amicable when kept with other fish or aquatic creatures that have a calm temperament. Keeping them with aggressive aquatic animals could become hazardous as they might attack these fish and prey on them.Would they make a good pet?These fish are most commonly found in domestic aquariums and are perfect as pets. They are found in many households and are widely available in the market. If taken care of properly, they survive for almost five years in aquariums.The dwarf neon rainbowfish has various types and is known by the following names: the Praecox rainbowfish, diamond rainbowfish, neon rainbowfish, peacock rainbowfish, dwarf blue rainbowfish, and various other names. These fish are abundantly found in markets both online and offline all over the world and are not very pricey.Did you know…This species keeps its eggs scattered. These fish cast aside their eggs soon after laying them.Boeseman’s rainbowfish, another member of the rainbowfish family, can be up to 4 in (10.2 cm) long.The eggs of these fish take 18 days to hatch.Males exhibit more colorful and attractive bodies than females.There are 50 variants in the rainbowfish family.When they are ready to mate, their bodies become even more colorful, and females become chubby.Naming the neon rainbowfishThe neon dwarf rainbowfish gets its name from the color of its scales. This species is unique as the color of its scales resembles that of a rainbow. It exhibits a vibrant color palette and has various members in its family such as the neon rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox), peacock rainbowfish, dwarf blue rainbowfish, diamond rainbowfish, Axelrodi rainbowfish, Boesemani rainbowfish, eastern rainbowfish, and red neon rainbowfish.How many rainbowfish should be kept together?This species can be kept with tetras, barbs, rasboras, danios, catfish, and other non-aggressive aquatic creatures. The neon dwarf rainbowfish is a schooling fish. If kept in an aquarium, it is best to keep them in groups of four to six so that they feel safe and secure. Both males and females should be kept together to maintain a beautiful, dazzling and attractive aquarium.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these African lungfish facts and spotted sunfish facts for kids.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable fish outline coloring pages.
What type of animal is a neon rainbowfish?
The neon rainbowfish is a member of the rainbowfish family that is most likely to be found in a domestic aquarium.
Fun Neon Rainbowfish Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
Fun Neon Rainbowfish Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
Fun Neon Rainbowfish Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
Fun Neon Rainbowfish Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
What do they prey on? Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat? Omnivores
Average litter size? 5-30
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
What do they prey on?
Insects, algae, worms, floating plants, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae
What do they eat?
Omnivores
Average litter size?
5-30
How much do they weigh?
N/A
How long are they?
2.5-3 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they?
What do they look like?
Colors of the rainbow
Skin Type
Scales
What were their main threats?
Diseases, Larger Fishes, Building Dams
What is their conservation status?
Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
Where you’ll find them?
Tropical, Clear-freshwater
Locations
New Guinea, Indonesia, West Papua
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Melanotaenia
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Melanotaenia
Class Actinopterygii
Family Melanotaeniidae
