Product Details

Three Stripe Rainbowfish – Melanotaenia trifasciata “Blyth River”

The Three Stripe Rainbowfish is a bold, active Australian rainbowfish known for its horizontal body striping, strong colour and impressive male display. This Blyth River form of Melanotaenia trifasciata is a locality strain, making it especially appealing for aquarists who value distinct rainbowfish lines. It is peaceful with suitable tank mates, but it is a fast, active fish that needs a spacious, mature aquarium with clean water, open swimming room and a proper group.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Three Stripe Rainbowfish
Other Names: Banded Rainbowfish, Blyth River Rainbowfish, Three-Lined Rainbowfish, Three Stripe Rainbow
Scientific Name: Melanotaenia trifasciata “Blyth River”
Fish Type: Rainbowfish / Melanotaeniid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Melanotaenia trifasciata is native to northern Australia, including parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland. The Blyth River name refers to a locality strain and should be treated separately from other M. trifasciata forms if breeding for line purity.

In the wild, Three Stripe Rainbowfish inhabit small streams, creeks and waterholes, including clear to moderately turbid habitats with rocky or gravel bottoms, submerged logs, branches, vegetation and seasonal waterholes. In the aquarium, they should be kept in a mature, well-filtered setup with open swimming space, planted edges, moderate flow and good oxygenation.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Three Stripe Rainbowfish have an elongated, laterally compressed rainbowfish body with strong horizontal striping. Mature males can develop intense colour, with yellow, orange, red, bronze, blue-green or metallic tones depending on locality, age, sex, mood, diet and lighting. The Blyth River form is especially valued for strong male colour and clean striping.

Adults can reach around 10–13 cm, with males usually larger, deeper-bodied and more colourful than females. Females are generally slimmer and more subtle, but still attractive in a settled group.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to larger peaceful community aquariums, planted rainbowfish displays and active Australian-style setups. It needs open midwater swimming lanes, plants around the sides and back, stable water quality and enough room for males to display.

Three Stripe Rainbowfish are not suitable for tiny aquariums, shy nano communities, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums or cramped layouts with little swimming space. They are peaceful, but their constant activity can intimidate small or nervous fish.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 200 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 100–120 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: 22–28°C
pH: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: Moderately soft to hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. This species is adaptable when captive-bred, but it should not be exposed to sudden water-chemistry changes, poor oxygenation or high nitrate. Regular partial water changes and strong biological filtration are recommended.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Three Stripe 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:

Three Stripe 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.

Three Stripe 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 Three Stripe 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 Blyth River fish with other Melanotaenia trifasciata 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, stripe strength, yellow or orange colour, metallic sheen, fin colour, sex, age and markings can occur between