Product Details

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish – Melanotaenia boesemani “Lake Aitinjo”

The Red Boesemani Rainbowfish is a beautiful locality form of Boeseman’s Rainbowfish, valued for its active swimming, strong colour and impressive display behaviour in mature males. Correctly listed as Melanotaenia boesemani “Lake Aitinjo”, this strain should be kept with care as a distinct locality line where breeding is intended. It is a peaceful but lively rainbowfish that needs a spacious aquarium, clean water, open swimming space and a proper group.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Red Boesemani Rainbowfish
Other Names: Lake Aitinjo Boesemani, Red Boesemani, Boeseman’s Rainbowfish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Aitinjo Rainbowfish
Scientific Name: Melanotaenia boesemani “Lake Aitinjo”
Fish Type: Rainbowfish / Melanotaeniid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Melanotaenia boesemani is native to West Papua, Indonesia, where it is associated with the Ajamaru Lakes region and nearby Aitinjo Lake. The Lake Aitinjo name refers to a locality or strain reference, and should be treated separately from other Boesemani lines if breeding for line purity.

In the wild, Boeseman’s Rainbowfish are associated with lakes, connecting waterways, vegetated margins and freshwater habitats with clear swimming areas. In the aquarium, Red Boesemani Rainbowfish should be kept in a mature, well-filtered setup with open midwater swimming space, planted edges, moderate flow and good oxygenation.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish have the classic deep-bodied rainbowfish shape, with males developing stronger colour and body depth as they mature. Depending on age, sex, mood, diet and lighting, mature males may show blue, green-blue, purple, yellow, orange or red-orange tones, often with the bold front-to-rear colour contrast typical of Melanotaenia boesemani. Females are usually smaller, slimmer and more subtly coloured.

Adults usually reach around 8–10 cm, with males typically larger and deeper-bodied than females. Young fish are often much less colourful, and the best colour usually develops in mature males kept in a settled mixed-sex group.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to larger peaceful community aquariums, planted rainbowfish displays and active New Guinea-style setups. It needs open swimming lanes, plants around the sides and back, stable water quality and enough room for males to display without constant crowding.

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish are not suitable for tiny aquariums, shy nano communities, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums or cramped layouts with little swimming room. They are peaceful, but their constant movement can intimidate very small or nervous fish.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 180 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 100 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 240 litres or more are preferred for mature groups, mixed rainbowfish displays and stronger long-term colour development.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred. A mixed-sex group is ideal, as males show stronger colour and display behaviour when females and rival males are present.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 7.0–8.0
Hardness: Moderately hard to hard preferred
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. This species appreciates regular partial water changes, strong biological filtration and steady mineral content. Avoid poor oxygenation, high nitrate, sudden water-chemistry swings and cramped, stagnant aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish are peaceful but active community fish. Suitable tank mates include other rainbowfish of similar size, larger peaceful tetras, danios, robust rasboras, peaceful barbs, Cory-type catfish in compatible temperatures, bristlenose plecs and other confident community species.

Avoid very small nano fish, shy slow feeders, delicate long-finned species, large predators and aggressive cichlids. Adult rainbowfish may eat very small fry or tiny shrimp, so they are not ideal for shrimp-breeding aquariums.

Feeding:

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small floating or slow-sinking granules and rainbowfish pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae, bloodworm and small insect-based foods.

A varied diet helps support colour, body condition and display behaviour. Feed small amounts that are eaten quickly, as active rainbowfish have strong appetites and do best with clean water.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active midwater swimmer that spends much of the day moving through open areas of the aquarium. Males may display to females and rival males by intensifying colour, flaring fins and making short chasing movements. This is normal in a suitable group and usually does not cause harm when space is adequate.

Red Boesemani Rainbowfish are egg scatterers. Females deposit adhesive eggs among fine plants, mosses or spawning mops, and adults do not provide parental care. Fry require separate rearing if breeding is intended.

Care Notes:

Add Red Boesemani Rainbowfish only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide open swimming room, stable water quality and a secure lid, as active rainbowfish can jump when startled. Avoid overcrowding, poor oxygenation and long periods without water changes.

Do not mix Lake Aitinjo fish with other Melanotaenia boesemani locality strains if breeding for line purity. Keeping locality forms separate helps preserve clear, traceable aquarium lines and prevents accidental mixing between strains.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist rainbowfish strain, usually captive-bred when available

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, red-orange colour, blue colour, metallic sheen, fin length, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.