Rainbow Fish

[katykaye]

Hiya

Today I bought the Rainbow fish shown below. They are beautiful but I do have some questions if anyone can help

They were sold as Boesmani Rainbow although they all looked just silvery without much colour when I got them. They are obviously orange (I thought they were going to be yellow/bluey) so can someone confirm what type they are please?

Also two of them changed colour quite quickly and dramatically - from the silver to orange all over with a black line - I am assuming this means something - though hopefully not that they are stressed?

Many thanks for your help.

First pic showing some silver and two starting to show some orange....

This pic shows the smaller one going almost all orange with a black stripe..it did go totally orange but my camera battery died on me!!

And this is just a nice pic

 

[minxfishy]

They are boesemani, the ones that have the orange to the back/blue to the front are the males, the others are females.

 

[katykaye]

Thanks for that

They change colour quite frequently with the orange getting brighter and the blue/black showing nicely - gorgeous fish - they are very active! I want some more now, will have to check some out

 

[Gilli]

They are a real asset to the tank - so colourful and lively! You will find as they settle down and get some good grub (frozen live as well as flake)that they will colour up beautifully. When you do your water changes make sure the water you put in is slightly cooler and they will think its the rainy season and get their breeding colours ! My males go bright yellow with almost a navy blue front half and all the colurs of the rainbow in between - beautiful fish!

 

[katykaye]

They are a real asset to the tank - so colourful and lively! You will find as they settle down and get some good grub (frozen live as well as flake)that they will colour up beautifully. When you do your water changes make sure the water you put in is slightly cooler and they will think its the rainy season and get their breeding colours ! My males go bright yellow with almost a navy blue front half and all the colurs of the rainbow in between - beautiful fish!

What sort of frozen do they like? Everything I read says frozen but doesn't say frozen what LOL

 

[minxfishy]

Rainbows require a 50% (approx) vegetable diet, so plenty of veggie flakes/crisps, plus things like cucumber, lettuce, cooked shelled peas.

They also like frozen bloodworm, shrimp, cockle, mussel, krill.

They need 50% water changes weekly for long term health and growth.

 

[katykaye]

Rainbows require a 50% (approx) vegetable diet, so plenty of veggie flakes/crisps, plus things like cucumber, lettuce, cooked shelled peas.

They also like frozen bloodworm, shrimp, cockle, mussel, krill.

They need 50% water changes weekly for long term health and growth.

Thanks Minxfishy

I am about to attempt my first 50% water change this afternoon - first time I have done it in the new tank and I cannot reach without a stepladder LOL wish me luck!!!

 

[minxfishy]

Have fun Just remeber to try to keep the temperature approx the same as is already in the tank, a small drop is no problem, but with a 50%, just adding cold water will drop the temperature a little too much.

 

[Gilli]

They will eat anything and everything.! Mine are also very fond of algae wafers put in really for my plecs. They snatch it up and chase each other for it!