Melanotaenia praecox

Alternative names

 * ,, , Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish,

Sexing

 * Males are more brilliant and have more red in their fins, particularly the dorsal. Large males may develop a humpback as they mature.  Females have more brown in their scales, whereas males are silver-blue.

Tank compatibility

 * A peaceful sociable fish that should be kept in shoals of 6 or more, at least 2 females per male. Do not keep with long-finned fish, will otherwise cohabit happily with other peaceful community fish.

Diet

 * Will accept most foods including pellets and flake as well as live food like bloodworm and daphnia.

Feeding regime

 * Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

 * Lightly planted tank. They are fast-swimming and truthfully do better in +. Expert jumpers, they do best in a community tank of a large school. Potential fin nippers if only because they are so fast!

Behaviour

 * Prefers the company of others. Keep in a shoal.

Identification

 * Typical Rainbowfish body shape, but substantially smaller than other Rainbowfish. Has an exceptionally deep body for such a small fish. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are all a rich red in colour, the body is iridescent silver with blue hues.