Red Rainbowfish

The red rainbowfish is one of the larger rainbows, growing to about four inches, and the males become deep, deep red while the females are a solid copper color. These are schooling fish and we recommend at least a pair - one male and one female - to keep the pet fish happy. WE CANNOT SELL MALE ONLY. This leaves a tank of females, which feature a nice solid copper color - but no one ever asks for females and our warehouse would soon be overwhelmed with one sex.

Unhappily, these fish are threatened in Indonesia since overpopulation of another species - humans - has overwhelmed their native habitat.

The good news is that red rainbows are successfully bred in Asia and Florida and common in the aquarium trade. Red rainbowfish are often called Red Irian Rainbow and Red Millennium Rainbowfish. The millennium rainbow is a premium species bred in Florida to provide a hardier and more colorful fish for the aquarium trade and that is the species we sell.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Rainbowfish are active swimmers, so leave open swimming space along the front, with plants along the back and sides. Use a filter, a heater and a tight-fitting lid, since they can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They get along with peaceful fish of similar size, such as other rainbowfish, larger tetras, barbs, danios, corydoras and plecos.

Good to know: Males show their brightest colors when females are around, so a mix of both looks best.