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Dwarf rainbowfish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Atheriniformes
Family:	Melanotaeniidae
Genus:	Melanotaenia
Species:	M. praecox
Binomial name
Melanotaenia praecox (M. C. W. Weber & de Beaufort, 1922)
Synonyms
Rhombatractus praecox Weber & de Beaufort, 1922

The dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae. It is known under a number of common names including diamond rainbowfish, neon rainbowfish, Praecox rainbowfish, dwarf neon rainbowfish, peacock rainbowfish, and Teczanka neonowa. It is endemic to the Mamberamo River basin in West Papua in Indonesia and common in the aquarium trade.

Description

The species reaches up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in length, but there are reports of individuals up to 8 cm (3.1 in). Males tend to be brighter in color and have deeper bodies than the females. Their bodies are bright blue and iridescent, and their fins are colorful. This species is active and is known to jump out of water.

Distribution and habitat

The species occupies small, slow-moving tributaries in regions with rainforest.

Behaviour

M. praecox is considered to be omnivorous. This species is considered to be an egg-scatterer, so it is easy to breed.

It is a schooling fish, inhabiting the areas near the surface of their native rivers. Males will fight during spawning (which happens in the early morning ), often encircling and nipping one another, along with a display by extending their fins and increasing their intensity of iridescence. Females will then spawn continuously for several days whilst the male fertilises the eggs. They will hatch within a week

In the aquarium

Despite their size, this fish requires a tank of 15 gallons or more, with a length of at least 50–60 centimetres to accommodate their energetic nature. Schools of no less than six should be kept, with as much as or more females than males to limit infighting and disperse aggression.

Whilst they are generally peaceful, males will spar with each other or other male rainbowfish especially in the morning. This should not be an issue unless there are less females in the tank or the school is too small. They can be kept with practically any tropical freshwater fish that is not large or aggressive enough to eat them.

Owing to their omnivorous habits, it is advised to feed them a varied diet, including diced leafy greens and the occasional live food such as mosquito larvae and brine shrimp as it will stimulate their instincts and enhance their colours.

This species will appreciate a heavily planted tank, including floating plants to make them feel safe from what would be overhead threats in the wild. They enjoy temperatures around 25°C and a pH of 7.

References

1. Allen, G.R.; Kadarusman (2020). "Melanotaenia praecox". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T13074A147688071. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T13074A147688071.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2019). "Melanotaenia praecox month+february". FishBase.
3. "diamond". Aquariumglaser. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
4. "teczanka". rybawarioww. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
5. ^ "Melanotaenia praecox Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
6. "Melanotaenia praecox". Animal-World. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
7. "Melanotaenia praecox". Home of the Rainbowfish. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
8. "Rainbowfish breeding and spawning". www.aquaticcommunity.com.
9. "Breeding Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish". May 26, 2020.
10. "aquarium conditions". Maidenhead aquatics. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
11. "Melanotaenia praecox (Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish) — Seriously Fish".
12. "Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox)". Tropical Fish Keeping.
13. "Praecox Rainbowfish – Melanotaenia Praecox – Tropical Fish Site".

• IUCN Red List least concern species
• Melanotaenia
• Freshwater fish of Western New Guinea
• Fish described in 1922