Price's Rainbowfish

Price's Rainbowfish (Chilatherina pricei)

A colorful freshwater rainbowfish from the Reifafeif River and Yapen Island area in Irian Jaya (West Papua), Indonesia. Named in honor of David Samuel Price, a New Zealand missionary, aquarist, naturalist, ecologist, linguist, and environmental consultant who has contributed greatly to community development and conservation in Asia

Key Features

• Maximum Size: 8.9 cm / ~3.5 inches SL.
• Appearance: Compact, fusiform body with a blunter snout than similar species. Silvery-grey to bluish body accented by golden or yellow scale margins that form longitudinal stripes. Males display golden-yellow fins and are more colorful overall.
• Fin Details: Dorsal spines 5–7, dorsal soft rays 11–16; anal spines 1, anal soft rays 21–26.

Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: Minimum 40 gallons for a small school (6 or more recommended for best coloration and natural behavior).
• Water Parameters: Tropical freshwater; 75–82°F (24–28°C), pH 7.0–8.0, moderate hardness.
• Diet: Omnivorous — readily accepts high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active mid-to-upper water column schooling fish. Excellent for planted community tanks with similarly sized, non-aggressive companions. Provide a tight-fitting lid as rainbowfishes are known to jump.

IUCN Status Vulnerable (VU)

Add silvery-blue body with golden stripes and vibrant fins to your aquarium with the beautiful Price's Rainbowfish!