Boesemani Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Also known as Boeseman's Rainbowfish
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A large, showstopping rainbowfish with a blue front half that melts into orange. It is very peaceful but fast and skittish, so it needs a long tank, warm hard water and a good-sized shoal. Males display their finest colors in the company of rivals and females.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 29 US gal
- Footprint
- 47 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 81–86 °F
- pH
- 7–8
- Hardness
- 10–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 6 or more
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
Boesemani Rainbowfish tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Trichopodus leerii
Trichopodus trichopterus
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Boesemani Rainbowfish is much larger than Ember Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Paracheirodon innesi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Danio rerio
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Danio margaritatus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Boesemani Rainbowfish feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed quality flakes or pellets, which it takes without fuss.
- Offer live or frozen foods regularly to bring out the males' colors.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature males are larger, brighter and much deeper in the body than females.
Boesemani Rainbowfish care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Plan for a long tank. Adults are large, fast swimmers and need real length.
- Avoid tiny or slow fish, which its size and sudden movements can disturb.
- Check your water first. It needs warm, moderately hard water to thrive.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 29 US gallons.
Boesemani Rainbowfish tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 29 US gal (108 L), 120 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Boesemani Rainbowfish. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Picks for Spain are still being checked. The options below are for the US, and we have not confirmed that they are sold in Spain.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 55 Gallon US
Why we chose these (Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29?). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Boesemani Rainbowfish, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Boesemani Rainbowfish's temperature range.
None of our picks for Spain suits this species. The options below are for the US, and we have not confirmed that they are sold in Spain.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 55 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 81–86 °F (27–30 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateOther decor is not particularly important.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorLooks most at home in a planted tank with dense planting plus open swimming areas.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Boesemani Rainbowfish
We have not found a store that sells Boesemani Rainbowfish under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Boesemani Rainbowfish FAQ
What size tank do Boesemani Rainbowfish need?
Our sourced minimum is 29 US gallons (108 liters), with a footprint of 120 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Boesemani Rainbowfish should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Boesemani Rainbowfish?
Good matches on our list include Pearl Gourami, Blue Gourami and Cardinal Tetra. Avoid Neon Tetra and Zebra Danio.
How long do Boesemani Rainbowfish live?
Care guides report about 5–8 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why are my rainbowfish so pale?
Young rainbowfish often look dull, and color develops with age. Good food, a healthy shoal and morning sunlight or bright lights all help.
Boesemani Rainbowfish facts and sources
- Family
- Melanotaeniidae
- Native to
- Ajamaru Lakes, West Papua
- Adult size
- 4.3 in (11 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.