Product Details

Wapoga Red Rainbowfish – Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”

Overview:

The Wapoga Red Rainbowfish is a rare and colourful New Guinea rainbowfish, prized for the rich red, orange, blue and bronze tones shown by mature males. This locality form of Chilatherina alleni is a lively but peaceful shoaling fish that looks superb in a planted aquarium with open swimming room. It is best kept as a group, where males can display naturally and develop their strongest colour with age, good diet and stable water quality.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Wapoga Red Rainbowfish
Other Names: Allen’s Rainbowfish, Wapoga Rainbowfish, Alleni Wapoga Rainbowfish, Red Wapoga Rainbowfish
Scientific Name: Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”
Fish Type: Rainbowfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Chilatherina alleni is native to West Papua, New Guinea. The Wapoga form is associated with the Wapoga River region, with hobby stock likely tracing back to fish collected from that area. Aquarium Glaser notes that this species was originally described from the Siriwo/Aiborei drainage and that Wapoga stock has become established in the aquarium hobby.

In nature, Wapoga-type rainbowfish occur in rainforest streams and tributaries, including lowland creeks and clearer flowing habitats with sand or gravel, leaf litter, submerged branches, log debris and streamside cover. Aquarium care should provide clean, well-oxygenated water, plants or décor around the edges and enough open water for active swimming.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Mature males are the main attraction, developing a colourful mix of red, orange, bronze, blue and turquoise depending on age, mood, lighting and strain line. The body is streamlined and slightly compressed, with a dark lateral band and colourful fins that are raised during display. Females are usually slimmer and less intensely coloured, but they are important for natural shoaling and male courtship behaviour.

Adults usually reach around 9–10 cm in aquarium care, with FishBase listing Chilatherina alleni at up to 6.6 cm standard length, excluding full tail length. Fishkeeper lists a practical aquarium maximum of around 10 cm.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent fish for a larger planted community aquarium, New Guinea-style setup or specialist rainbowfish display. It needs open midwater swimming space, good filtration and stable water quality. Planting around the sides and back works well, but the centre of the tank should remain open so the group can move freely.

Wapoga Red Rainbowfish are peaceful, but they are fast and active. They are not ideal for very small aquariums, shy nano fish or slow feeders that may be intimidated at feeding time.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 180 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 100–120 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for adult males, mixed rainbowfish communities or stronger display behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; adaptable if stable
Additional Notes: Provide clean, well-oxygenated water with regular partial water changes. UK trade guidance for Wapoga Red Rainbowfish gives 23–28°C, pH 6.8–7.8 and hardness 5–15 dGH, while Fishkeeper lists Chilatherina alleni at 22–28°C and pH 6.0–8.4.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Wapoga Red Rainbowfish are peaceful shoaling fish, but they are active and confident. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful rainbowfish, larger tetras, danios, rasboras, peaceful barbs, Cory-type catfish, bristlenose plecs, smaller peaceful loaches and calm community cichlids in compatible water.

Avoid aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers, very small timid fish and slow delicate species that may struggle to compete for food. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred. A mixed-sex group is best, as males colour up more strongly when displaying to females and rival males.

Feeding:

Wapoga Red Rainbowfish are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules and rainbowfish pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Include some vegetable or algae-based foods for balance. They feed quickly, so measured portions are best and quieter tank mates should be watched to ensure they are not outcompeted.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends most of its time in the middle and upper levels, swimming in a loose group. Mature males display with raised fins and intensified colour, especially in the morning, after water changes or when females are nearby. They are active rather than aggressive, and a settled group can become a very eye-catching feature in a planted display.

Care Notes:

Keep in a mature aquarium with stable water quality, good oxygenation and a secure lid, as rainbowfish can jump when startled. Do not keep singly or in pairs, as small numbers can become nervous and less colourful. Locality strains such as Wapoga should not be mixed with other Chilatherina alleni lines if breeding may occur, as this can lose the strain identity. Colour improves with age, condition, diet and group structure.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist rainbowfish strain / 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, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.