Yellow Rainbowfish

The Yellow Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi) is endemic to Lake Tebera in Papua New Guinea and stands out as one of the most distinctly colored Melanotaenia in the hobby. Adult males develop brilliant lemon-yellow flanks with bold dorsal markings, while females show a softer yellow with subtle striping.
Behavior
Yellow Rainbowfish are peaceful, active schoolers that spend most of their time in the upper and middle water column. Mixed groups with several males produce constant display behavior as males compete for attention.
Tank Setup
A 40 gallon long or 55 gallon tank suits a school well. They appreciate open swimming lanes, planted edges, and moderate flow. Slightly alkaline, moderately hard water (pH 7.5 to 8.0) brings out the brightest yellow.
Diet
Omnivorous. A rotation of quality flake, micro pellets, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and the occasional live food keeps color and condition strong.