Boesmani Rainbow Fish - confirmation

[Limits2005]

Hi guys, just wondering if you can confirm the fish is a juvenile Boesmani Rainbowfish and if possible, what colour it'd be when it grows up.

Cheers
Chris .

 

[Colin_T]

It looks like a juvenile Melanotaenia boesemani. As for sexing, no chance at this stage. Young fish all look like females. If it shows any purple/ blue on the head then its a young male. Wait 6 months and see what it looks like then.

Try to keep them in groups of 6 or more.

 

[Limits2005]

Thanks for that!

Are there different boesemani rainbows?

 

[Colin_T]

Yes and no. There are 2 different locations where M. boesemani are found and they are sold as such. The ones found in shops are just the common original boesemani. The 2nd variety (Aytinjo) will only be obtainable from breeders who have them.

In addition to this, there is a lot of variation in colour in the original varieties that has been caused by people breeding poor coloured fish. So some boesemani will be nicely coloured and others not as bright.

Finally, the males don't show full colouration until their second year.

 

[Limits2005]

That's great! Thanks for your help .