Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish – All You Should Know

The Melanotaeniidae family of freshwater fish includes the Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), often referred to as Boseman’s Rainbowfish. It is indigenous to Asia, more especially the West Papua region of Indonesia’s Ayamaru Lakes, where its population is now in decline. Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish

As its name indicates, Boesemani rainbowfish are lively, well-mannered fish that can provide brilliant color to any aquarium. When found in most pet stores, these fish will probably not even have achieved their full color potential, but with the right care, their hues may gradually become strikingly vivid.

Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish Facts

Boesemani rainbowfish’s color intensity might alter depending on how they’re feeling; for example, after being chased about by a tankmate, its colors may temporarily fade before coming back.

Male Boesemani rainbowfish can acquire a brilliant stripe on their head and heighten their color throughout the mating phase to entice the females.

Boesemani rainbowfish are egg scatterers, however unlike other egg scatterers, they rarely consume their own eggs.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Care

Although Boesemani Rainbowfish are tough fish, it’s still crucial to maintain clean water for them. It will be a lot simpler to care for them in the long term if you keep the tank clean. These pleasant freshwater fish flourish in healthy habitats and are vulnerable to illnesses when the quality of their water deteriorates.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Temperature

The ideal water temperature for boesemani rainbowfish is between 75° to 86°, with 80° serving as a decent median. These fish like warm, tropical regions.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Water pH

Boesemani rainbowfish thrive in hard, alkaline water, thus it’s recommended to keep the pH of their water between 7 and 9.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Size

Boesemani rainbowfish have a maximum length of 4.5″ but might vary in size depending on their age, sex, and health. When they are around 2″ in size, boesemani rainbowfish are frequently sold at pet stores, but with the right care, they may go much bigger.

Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish Tank Size

The minimum tank size for boesemani rainbowfish is 30 gallons. Although these energetic fish will be most comfortable in a tank that is closer to 50 gallons. Boesemani rainbowfish need a tank that is big enough for them to swim around plants, driftwood, and any other tank additions with ease, so it’s a good idea to consider this when choosing the right tank size for them.

Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish Food & Diet

The majority of dry, frozen, and live meals will be accepted by boesemani rainbowfish, which are simple omnivores to feed. Boesemani rainbowfish may improve their brilliant colors and keep their health by receiving frequent live meal feedings. For these vibrant fish, brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms are ideal live feeding options that will guarantee they get enough protein. If choosing flakes or pellets as their primary nutritional source, it’s crucial to choose premium brands that include high-quality ingredients and advantageous elements (such as beta-carotene). This will assist boesemani rainbowfish preserve their vivid colors. They will also gain from eating plant-based foods, which will help them maintain a healthy diet.

Boesemani rainbowfish shouldn’t be overfed; instead, just give them as much food as they can consume in five minutes. These rainbowfish should not be overfed in order to avoid waste accumulation, ammonia spikes, and reduced pH levels, all of which are harmful to the fish’s health.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Lifespan

When given the correct care, boesemani rainbowfish have a comparatively lengthy lifespan of 5 to 8 years.

Setup For A Boesemani Rainbowfish Tank

Boesemani Rainbowfish will value having live plants in their aquarium since their natural habitat is abundant with plants that provide them a sense of security. Spindly plants are a wonderful choice for their aquariums since the boesemani rainbowfish will be able to swim through them more easily. When considering the types of plants to put in their tank, bear in mind that the plants must be able to be arranged in such a way as to not obstruct their open swimming area.

Although the bottom of the tank is not particularly necessary because the boesemani rainbowfish will often occupy the middle levels of the tank, a substrate with pebbles or sand will simulate the native environment of the species. Hard, alkaline water is preferred by Boesemani rainbowfish, and their water shouldn’t have any evidence of nitrates or ammonia. One-third of their water should be changed weekly, any extra algae should be removed, and their tank needs a good filter in order to stay clean. These fish will thrive under illumination that is moderate to standard.

Do Boesemani Rainbowfish Like Water Flow?

When selecting a filter for their tank, a power filter is an excellent alternative because Boesemani rainbowfish need moderate currents and a considerable volume of water movement.

Breeding Juvenile Boesemani Rainbowfish

Boesemani rainbowfish should be moved to a 20-gallon breeding tank when they are ready to reproduce. It’s crucial to replenish some of their water each day during this procedure to keep it clean. When trying to breed boesemani rainbowfish, it is advised to offer them live food as providing them with a healthy diet will encourage the mating process.

It is advised to use java moss or a spawning mop during the spawning phase since Boesemani rainbowfish often distribute their eggs in fine-leaved plants. The boesemani rainbowfish eggs must be gathered every day and placed in a breeding box to hatch throughout this several-day process of spawning.

Crossbreeding boesemani rainbowfish with other species is strictly forbidden. The likelihood of producing offspring that do not even mature to develop the vivid colors that boesemani rainbowfish are famous for when these rainbowfish are crossed is high.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Fry

When the Boesemani rainbowfish hatch, the fry are quite small and stay near the water’s surface. Infusoria, plankton, or liquid fish food that is tiny enough for them to eat and won’t sink in the tank should be provided to them at this time. Until they are mature enough to take adult fish food, they can be gradually introduced to baby brine shrimp as their primary nutritional source.

Tank cleanliness is crucial throughout the developing period of boesemani rainbowfish fry. A siphon may be used to remove any collected material, and a sponge filter can be used to filter the water, keeping their tank clean.

The growth of boesemani rainbowfish fry depends on proper care. They typically grow to adult size over the course of a year.

Male or Female Boesemani Rainbowfish?

Male boesemani rainbowfish have more vivid colors and are often bigger than their female counterparts, who are smaller and have duller coloring.

How long does it take for Boesemani Rainbowfish eggs to hatch?

Eggs of the Boesemani rainbowfish normally hatch after 7 to 12 days.

When do young Boesemani Rainbowfish begin to develop color?

Boesemani rainbowfish are typically offered at pet shops while they are still only around 2″ long, although at that size, their colors have not yet completely developed. When these ornamental fish reach adult size (about 3 inches), their colors really start to come out. It’s crucial to keep in mind that their nutrition and water quality have a big impact on how their colors develop.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Tank Mates

The very calm Boesemani rainbowfish are well-known for being nice neighborhood fish. Because of their calm disposition, boesemani rainbowfish will often get along with a variety of different species, even though it is advised to keep them in schools of six or more.

Which Boesemani Rainbowfish male to female ratio is ideal?

For boesemani rainbowfish, the male to female ratio should be around 3:2, or three female fish for every two male fish. To ensure that they all coexist peacefully, it is essential to maintain a healthy ratio of female to male fish.

Compatible Tank Mates for Boesemani Rainbowfish

Boesemani rainbowfish get along with many other fish since they have a calm disposition. Boesemani rainbowfish get along well with other rainbowfish, characins, rasboras gouramis, danios, tiger barbs, and corydoras. The boesemani rainbowfish has to be kept with fish of comparable sizes, therefore keep that in mind when selecting tankmates.

Incompatible Tank Mates for Boesemani Rainbowfish

Despite the fact that boesemani rainbowfish are often calm, there are some fish that are not advised to be kept together. Boesemani rainbowfish are lively fish with a reputation for making abrupt movements; because of this, they shouldn’t be housed in a tank with smaller fish since their hyperactivity might frighten and intimidate them. Additionally, because boesemani rainbowfish like hard, alkaline water, they shouldn’t be kept alongside fish that need soft water and/or a low pH (like angelfish).

Boesemani Rainbowfish Diseases

Two of the most prevalent illnesses affecting rainbowfish are white spot disease and velvet disease, both of which are brought on by parasites.

1. Ich (White Spot Sickness)

The parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infects the body, fins, and gills of the boesemani rainbowfish to produce Ich, commonly known as White spot disease. The affected fish developed white patches all over their bodies as a result of this illness. Infected Boesemani rainbowfish may also begin to swim erratically. When a new fish is not quarantined before being placed in a tank with other fish, white spot illness is frequently the result.

2. Velvet disease

The parasite Oodinium pilularis, which causes velvet disease, makes fish acquire patches and hairy flecks that give their skin a velvety texture. Boesemani rainbowfish may frequently brush their bodies against rocks and plants and move less during the early stages of this illness. The disease’s physical symptoms will become apparent over time since the skin of the boesemani rainbowfish will eventually resemble velvet.

Due to the high contagiousness of velvet illness, it is crucial to move any affected boesemani rainbowfish into a tank where they can isolate from other fish.

To address this condition, a veterinarian may be consulted and several treatments for boesemani rainbowfish may be recommended. Avoiding rapid changes in water temperature or pH is essential to preventing velvet disease in boesemani rainbowfish since these conditions can lead to the development of parasites. It’s preferable to quarantine any new fish in a separate tank as an extra measure before putting them in a communal tank with boesemani rainbowfish.

Price of Boesemani Rainbowfish

Boesemani rainbowfish are relatively pricey; depending on size, they can cost anywhere from $10 to $20 per fish. It’s possible to get some boesemani rainbowfish for less money, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all breeding farms follow the prescribed procedures required to maintain healthy boesemani rainbowfish, which may prevent their colors from ever reaching their maximum brilliance. Long-term health and coloration of boesemani rainbowfish purchased from respected pet retailers at a premium price are more likely.

Where Can I Find Boesemani Rainbowfish for sale?

In pet stores and online, Boesemani rainbowfish are available all across the United States. These rainbowfish are not hard to locate because they are mostly bred in aquariums.

Boesemani Rainbowfish as an Endangered Species

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the Boesemani rainbowfish as a threatened species and as an endangered species (IUCN Red List). Boesemani rainbowfish are in risk of going extinct due to environmental issues, excessive harvesting, and inadequate management in the aquaculture facilities they live in, according to experts. It’s crucial to avoid crossbreeding since these treasured fish are not only in danger of going extinct but are also losing pigmentation generally.