Mt. Poverty Rainbowfish

Mt. Poverty Rainbowfish ( Melanotaenia splendida splendida )

Also known as Eastern Rainbowfish 'Mt. Poverty' strain

A highly localized and striking population of the Eastern Rainbowfish found only in the remote tropical rainforest streams near Mt. Poverty in far north Queensland, Australia. This sought-after strain is prized in the aquarium hobby for its spectacular shifting iridescent colors and energetic schooling behavior.

• Maximum Size: 10–14 cm (4–5.5 inches) TL. Males grow significantly larger and develop a much deeper, more robust body shape than females.
• Appearance: Sleek, fusiform (torpedo-shaped) body built for active swimming. Mature males display intense, shifting iridescent coloration with a metallic, glossy sheen — often showing brilliant flashes of red, orange, gold, and blue-green that change dramatically with lighting and viewing angle. Females are slimmer and more subtly colored.
• Fin Details: Dorsal spines 6–8, dorsal soft rays 10–12; anal spine 1, anal soft rays 18–20.

Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons (ideally a tank 4 feet or longer in length) for a school of 6 or more individuals.
• Water Parameters: Tropical freshwater; 20–30°C (68–86°F), pH 6.0–8.0, general hardness 10–30 dH.
• Diet: Omnivorous. Accepts high-quality flakes, small sinking pellets, frozen foods, and live foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia.
• Behavior: Highly active, peaceful schooling fish that occupy the mid-to-upper water column. They are fast swimmers and display their best color and natural behavior when kept in a group of 6 or more. Excellent for spacious, well-planted community tanks with similarly sized peaceful species. A tight-fitting lid is recommended as they are strong jumpers.

IUCN Status: The species Melanotaenia splendida is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. This specific population is extremely localized in the wild.

A fantastic choice for dedicated aquarists who want vibrant, shifting metallic color and lively schooling activity from the Australian tropics in their planted or community aquarium.

Add a dynamic school of shifting metallic iridescence and active energy to your tank with the beautiful Mt. Poverty Rainbowfish!