Neon dwarf rainbowfish
Melanotaenia praecox
A small rainbowfish with shimmering blue scales and red fins on the males; shy, schooling and in need of open swimming space.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp
- Origin
- Mamberamo River basin, New Guinea
- Hardier than6%
- Bigger than29%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Neon dwarf rainbowfish tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusNeon dwarf rainbowfish outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat young or small Neon dwarf rainbowfish; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidNeon dwarf rainbowfish outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon dwarf rainbowfish.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon dwarf rainbowfish.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Neon dwarf rainbowfish.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat Neon dwarf rainbowfish: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for neon dwarf rainbowfish: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 2.95 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.49 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per group
- Min. height
- 30 cm
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- middle, top
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- nitrate
Sources: Seriously Fish: Melanotaenia praecox · FishBase: Melanotaenia praecox
Care notes
Neon dwarf rainbowfish come from tributaries of the Mamberamo River in New Guinea. Males display to each other in open water, flashing their red fins.
Keep six to eight in a 15 gallon tank or larger with a lid and floating plants to soften bright light. Good water quality matters, so keep up with water changes.
Questions
What size tank does a neon dwarf rainbowfish need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2 inches without fins.
How many neon dwarf rainbowfish should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do neon dwarf rainbowfish need?
73–82 °F, pH 6.8–7.5 and 5–15 dGH. Neon dwarf rainbowfish come from Mamberamo River basin, New Guinea.
How long do neon dwarf rainbowfish live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with neon dwarf rainbowfish?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.