Although most Rainbow Fish are new to aquariums, there are many other colorful varieties. They are also peaceful and like large numbers. You’ve found the right place if you want to see many different kinds of Rainbow Fresh Water Fish at once so that you can pick the one you love best.
We have 13 different rainbow fish breeds to share with you. We will show you a photo and tell you some facts about each species. You’ll be surprised at the differences between them. We will be discussing tank size, pH, maximum growth, colors, and other factors to help you make informed purchases.
1. Axelrod’s Rainbow Fish
Axelrod’s Rainbow Fish are New Guinean and can grow up to 4 inches in length as adults. These fish are white in color with faint black stripes along the sides, reminiscent of a Zebra. Blue may be found around the gills of Axalrods. If they are well cared for, they can live up to five years. However, they are sensitive to pH levels and prefer that it is kept between 7.5-7.5. Rainbow Fish Axelrods are happier in tanks that are larger than 20 gallons.
2. Banded Rainbow Fish
The Banded Rainbow Fish can be found in a variety of colors. They have a dark middle-lateral band that lightens towards the fins. They are calm and peaceful and can tolerate all water temperatures. This breed can jump out of the aquarium, so it is important to have a lid.
3. Boeseman’s Rainbow Fish
Boeseman’s Rainbow Fish is a fascinating fish. It is white near its head but turns bright orange towards the tail. If conditions are perfect, it can grow to 4 inches in length and can live for up to five years. It needs at least 20 gallons of water. They prefer a pH of around seven. The Boeseman Rainbow Fish is peaceful and well-suited for community life.
4. Crimson Spotted Rainbow Fish
Crimson Spotted Rainbow Fish have been popular pets for more than 100 years. They can grow to almost 5 inches in full grown. However, they are much more common at just 4 inches. The fins are a variety of colors, with a single red dot visible at the gills. Males are slightly smaller and have brighter colors than females.
5. Rainbow Fish Checkered
The Checkered Rainbow Fish can be found in rivers, streams, swamps, and lagoons. They prefer a well-planned aquarium with dense vegetation and warm water between 79 to 91 degrees. They can tolerate pH changes and will be happy if the water temperature is between 6.5 to 8. Another thing to consider before buying this fish is their preference for being with other fish. Males will often show their best colors when they are around other males.
6. Desert Rainbow Fish
The Desert Rainbow Fish is a fish with a sandy-colored body and orange-tinted fins. They are happy to join schools so it is better to buy a few at once. They can be peaceful, don’t fight with other fish, and prefer to remain near the top of the tank. Adult Desert rainbow fish can reach 4 inches in length when fully grown. They should live for 5 years if they are given proper care and have at most 20 gallons of water to swim in.
7. Dwarf Rainbow Fish
Dwarf Rainbow Fish is well known for its small size and large eyes. Dwarf Rainbows will reach only 2 inches in comparison to other Rainbow Fish, which can grow to 4 inches or more. The yellowfins of the females are more common and they tend to be smaller than their male counterparts. Red fins are typical for males with neon blue colors sprinkled throughout.
8. Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
The Lake Kutubu Rainbow Fish is usually a blue-green fish with a white belly. These peaceful fish love to socialize with other fish. They can grow up to 5 inches in length when fully grown. If kept in an aquarium that holds more than 20 gallons, this breed can live for about five years. They prefer a well-planted aquarium, but they will spend most of their time at the top.
9. Lake Wanam Rainbow Fish
The Lake Wanam Rainbowfish is a green-tinted species with a white belly. It is a smaller fish than most of the others, and will not exceed 3 inches in length. They are peaceful and enjoy being part of a school. However, they don’t mind being the only ones in an aquarium. This breed prefers to be near the top of the tank and will not tolerate tanks larger than 20 gallons.
10. Rainbow Fish from Madagascar
The Madagascar Rainbow Fish is characterized by a green top with a dark stripe in the middle. It may also have darker colors on its belly. This is a large breed, with many Madagascar Rainbow Fish growing to 6 inches. These Rainbow Fish are like an aquarium larger than 20 gallons.
11. Murry River Rainbow Fish
The body color of Murry river Rainbow Fish is olive-brown. They can have clear fins or red ones, as well as light-colored dots. Sometimes, this breed can have a dark red stripe. A Murry River Rainbowfish can grow to 4 inches in length, but most Murry River Rainbowfish will grow to 3 inches. This breed loves the sun, so it needs plenty of space to swim.
12. Neon Rainbowfish
The Neon Rainbow Fish is mostly a silver color. They get their name because of small hints of neon blue you can see from certain angles. As the fish age, the color will become more prominent. This peaceful breed of fish is small in stature and can grow to 2.5 inches. You can keep them in tanks as small as 10 gallons due to their small size. The Neon Rainbow Fish is expected to live for three to four more years than most other fish.
13. Red Rainbowfish
The Red Rainbow Fish is a bright red fish with a yellow stripe at the top. This large breed can grow to as much as 6 inches in adulthood. The breed is peaceful and can live for up to five years. It spends most of its time close to the water’s surface. It prefers at least 20 gallons of water and is very sensitive to pH. Therefore, it will need to be kept between 7 and 7.
14. Madagascan Rainbowfish
The variation in pH is a species note for fish keepers who are interested in the Madagascan rainbowfish. Their natural habitats include soft freshwater with low pH and tannin-stained water. The rainbow fish is silvery-colored with yellow fins. Males tend to be more saturated in color than females. They may be able to live with cichlids that have similar water quality tolerances like discus or angelfish. They also prefer stronger currents in their tanks.
Summary: The 14 Best Rainbow Fish Types
You now have a list of the best rainbow fish to add to your aquarium. Rainbow Fish is friendly and won’t cause any problems. The majority of Rainbow Fish do not require any special care, other than a minimum of 20 gallons and ample swimming space. Rainbow Fish can withstand temperature and pH changes and are very resilient. Some fish prefer to be in a school, while others will struggle to achieve their peak color without males. It’s easy to find these breeds and they will all make great additions to your aquarium.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found the fish you love best. Please share this information on Facebook or Twitter if you have discovered something new.
Which rainbow fish is the best?
The Boeseman’s or Boesemani Rainbow Fish, one of the most well-known rainbow fish in the aquarium hobby, has a two-toned color variant with a blue/purple head and an orange/red back end. Rainbow fish are popular in many tropical community aquariums and are relatively easy to care for.
How many rainbow fish should I purchase?
Keeping numerous rainbowfish species is OK, but as with other schooling fish, keep at least six of each species, and the more of each you keep, the better behaved they will be.
How quickly do Boesemani rainbows mature?
The average growth rate was 0.0031 g/day, the specific growth rate was 0.013- 0.095%bb/day, and the larvae survival rate was 47.24%.
Can I maintain only one rainbow fish?
Unlike other fish, rainbowfish can cohabit with other fish and like to be in schools of five or more, according to Claricoates.
Rainbow fish can they change gender?
The rose-veiled fairy wrasse, like other wrasse species, changes appearance and sex as it ages. They begin as girls and evolve into males, becoming much more colorful.
Do rainbowfish prefer rapid flow?
Rainbowfish, in my experience, prefer places of rest with little to no flow that is near areas of moderate flow. Highly oxygenated water is essential for these fish, as it reduces stress and improves vitality.
What kind of fish have rainbow colors?
Meet the rose-veiled fairy wrasse, a newly found rainbow-colored fish in the Maldives’ “twilight zone” reefs.