Photo: NRJMelvinT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
4 cm
Adult size
70 L
Minimum volume
8
Minimum group
5 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Iriatherina
- Diet
- carnivore and planktivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
Males of this tiny rainbowfish have long filaments on their dorsal and anal fins, hence its English names “threadfin” or “featherfin rainbowfish”. Widespread and bred commercially, it is nevertheless delicate and has precise needs: it is not a fish for beginners.
- Scientific name
- Iriatherina werneri Meinken, 1974
- Classification
- Atheriniformes › Melanotaeniidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Southern New Guinea (from Merauke to the Fly River, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) and northern Australia
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It prefers slow streams, marshes, lagoons and billabongs with clear, plant-rich water, especially in margins less than 1.5 m deep, often near water lilies. Females and young form shoals, while males defend small territories in open water where they display.
Behaviour
Very peaceful, it does not suit a classic community tank: its food gets stolen and the males' long fins attract nippers. Keep it alone or with fish of similar size and temperament (Pseudomugil, Boraras, dwarf Corydoras, Otocinclus). Its tiny mouth needs very fine food, mostly live (Artemia, Daphnia, microworms).
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth