Description
Parkinsoni Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia parkinsoni)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Melanotaenia parkinsoni
Common Names: Parkinson’s Rainbowfish, Orange Flash Rainbow, Parkinsoni Rainbow
Family: Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes)
Order: Atheriniformes
Origin: Papua New Guinea — found in the Kemp Welch River system and adjacent watersheds
Size: Up to 4.5 – 5 inches (11 – 13 cm)
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
Tank Zone: Mid to top dweller
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 150 – 300 ppm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
Hardness: 8 – 20 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
Body: Deep-bodied with metallic silver-blue front and brilliant orange to copper-colored fins and tail; males have a distinctive orange wash over the rear half of the body.
Behavior: Active, peaceful schooling fish; displays most color when kept in groups.
Swimming Style: Energetic and graceful swimmer; loves open water space.
Unique Feature: Males exhibit intense orange flashes on fins during courtship or excitement.
Nature: Hardy, social, and well-suited for community aquariums.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous
Diet: Quality flakes and pellets, live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp; occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or peas.
Feeding: 2–3 times daily in small portions.
Tip: A protein-rich diet enhances color intensity.
🛠️ Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 40 gallons (150 L) for a small school.
Filtration: Efficient filtration with moderate water flow; ensure high oxygen levels.
Decor: Open swimming areas with plants at the sides or background; floating plants can reduce glare.
Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting to highlight their reflective scales.
Water Change: 25–30% weekly to maintain clarity and stability.
👥 Social Behavior
Minimum Group Size: 6 or more (schooling species).
Tank Mates: Other peaceful Rainbowfish, Barbs, Tetras, Corydoras, and Gouramis.
Avoid: Aggressive or nippy fish that may damage fins.
✅ Do’s
Keep in groups for best coloration and social behavior.
Provide open space for swimming.
Maintain clean, oxygen-rich water.
Offer a mixed diet with live/frozen supplements.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep in small or overstocked tanks.
Don’t mix with aggressive or fin-nipping species.
Don’t neglect regular water changes.
⭐ Quick Tips
The Parkinsoni Rainbowfish is a spectacular, peaceful schooling fish known for its brilliant orange fin flashes and reflective silver-blue body.
Best kept in groups within planted aquariums, it thrives in clean, well-oxygenated, open tanks.
A favorite centerpiece fish, combining beauty, activity, and peaceful nature, ideal for medium to large community setups.
