Trifasciatus Rainbow
Originally described by Rendahl in 1922, the Trifasciatus Rainbow is more properly called the Melanotaenia trifasciata. This Rainbow is collected from several streams in Australia and shows different color morphs depending on the collection point. (It may eventually be determined that these are different species.) Generally the Trifasciatus grows to about 4-5 inches in length with a base silver/blue body color with a horizontal stripe through the eye to the base of the tail. The male will usually have more color, with red/orange color in the anal and dorsal fins. Unfortunately there are several different color morphs of this Rainbow that might actually be different species. The Trifasciatus prefers a neutral pH and plant cover, though as a schooling fish it will require a fair amount of open swimming space. As an omnivore, it will eat most prepared aquarium foods. Very hardy, the Rainbow makes a great community fish and can be kept with larger fish.
