Skull Creek Rainbowfish

Sahul Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia sahulensis)

Also known as Skull Creek Rainbowfish

A small and increasingly popular freshwater rainbowfish from the shallow floodplain systems, swampy creeks, dune lakes, and lily lagoons of northern Australia and southern New Guinea (with records from parts of Indonesia). Formally described in 2019, this species is prized for its distinctively deep body shape, attractive dark lateral stripes, and colorful fins.

Key Features

• Maximum Size: 5.0 cm / ~2 inches SL (reaches up to ~6.0 cm / 2.4 inches TL in captivity).
• Appearance: Notably deep and laterally compressed body. Silvery-grey base color accented by prominent dark lateral stripes. Breeding males display beautiful contrasting color zones in the fins, separated by a thick dark submarginal band.
• Fin Details: Dorsal spines 8, dorsal soft rays 7–10; anal spines 1, anal soft rays 15–17.

Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: Minimum 30–40 gallons for a small school (6 or more recommended for best schooling behavior and color).
• Water Parameters: Tropical freshwater; 72–82°F (22–28°C), pH 5.5–7.5, soft to moderate hardness.
• Diet: Omnivorous — accepts high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, frozen, and live foods.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active mid-to-upper water column schooling fish. Excellent for planted community tanks with similarly sized peaceful companions. A tight-fitting lid is recommended as they can jump.

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Add elegant proportions, bold dark stripes, and vibrant fin colors to your aquarium with the beautiful Sahul Rainbowfish!

These fish are skittish! Bear with us until we can take a better photo.