Rainbow MELANOTAENIA MACCULLOCHI

Melanotaenia maccullochi readily breeds in captivity. They generally spawn during the early morning hours, preceded by intense spawning activity of the male. The male presses against the side of the female and accompanied by heavy trembling of both fishes; eggs are expelled directly among the plants. The eggs are fairly large (1.5 ± 0.5 mm in diameter), light amber to yellowish in colour and hang by a fine thread. Depending on temperature the fry emerge after 7-9 days, first hanging on the plants or glass. Several days later they are swimming mostly near the surface, feeding on protozoans or dust-fine prepared food. When properly fed and maintained, the fry grow rapidly and can become sexually mature at around 4-5 months of age. I first obtained aquarium-bred specimens in 1980 and maintained a small population until at least 1990. I obtained further aquarium specimens in 1994, and wild-caught specimens from Etty Bay and Hope Vale in 1997 and 1998. I successfully bred and raised all varieties under the following range of water conditions: Temperature 20-30°C; pH 7.2-8.1; alkalinity 50-60 ppm (mg/L) and hardness levels of 90-310 ppm (mg/L).