11 replies to this topic

[Craig3426]

Anyone had any experience keeping Kangaroo Creek Rainbow fish (Melanotaenia Duboulayi)??
I am wondering if i can keep a few in a lightly planted tank this size:
Dimensions: 62 W x 72 H x 39 D
Capacity: 130 L

If nobody has kept this particular Rainbow could they post their experiences or alternatively direct me to some information...

Thanks Craig

[sydad]

Hi Craig,

It's a few years since I last kept duboulayi, but I remember that they are a fairly easily kept rainbowfish: they will even survive outdoors over winter in a protected spot. Since they seldom exceed 65-70 mms in length, a small school (up to 10 individuals) should be comfortable in your (odd shaped) planted aquarium, assuming that there are few ,if any, other fishes present.

Syd.

[Jaraqui]

Melanotaenia Duboulayi.

A typical, very hardy Aussie rainbow. I have kept them with Ornates, Bosemani and Threadfins without any trouble in the past. A 130L tank may be adequate to house smaller specimens, though keep in mind that as they reach their mature size, a larger tank may be required depending on your current stock.

[Craig3426]

Ok thanks for the fast replies. Do these particular Rainbowfish "colour up" as they age, the ones at my LFS feature no real colouring at all, they are about 4cm..

[theonetruepath]

At 4cm they would have to be massively stunted to show any colour. Kangaroo Creek Doobs are one of the more colourful varieties.

[Craig3426]

Thanks for the info guys..

[Craig3426]

Another quick question.

In the link Tau5 provided it says:
"They are a subtropical species found in relatively still, clear water, in water temperatures between 16~28°"

This is very big temperature range and I want to know if there is an ideal temperature. I was thinking around 24 degrees?? Is this ok apart from hot summer days when the tank may go beyond 25 degrees...

Thanks Once Again Craig

[Jaraqui]

I would set the thermostat to 22°C to avoid hitting any extremes. Australian fish are hardy and capable of adapting to a much greater variety of environments then say, your average Mbuna. A small deviation in temperature won't adversley affect your fish, however major fluctuating temperatures in perpetuity will cause stress and may even lead to death.

[Graeme]

Hi Craig

I was recently breeding from some F1 stock of these ( parents were wild caught )
I received a mop with eggs on it.

I didn't find them hard to keep at all, they did from my experience prefer the cooler temperature range,didn't fair so well in my planted tank that had temps upto 30C in summer.
They were easy to feed and breed

There are many different locations these are collected from ( different creeks = different coloured/patterned fish ) The Kangaroo is one of the most beautiful forms.

Good luck

Graeme

[Craig3426]

Thanks...

Hopefully getting my Rainbow's tomorrow or Tuesday..
Will try to get some pics ASAP..

[ozjayok]

any pics yet?

[Craig3426]

any pics yet?

Sorry. I didn't realise that I never gave you guys an update on how I went.
Went back to the place that had them in stock and they had sold them earlier that day.
I ended up getting some Boesemani and they quickly out grew the odd shaped tank I had them in. From 4cm to about 9-10cm in a few months. Was feeding them mosquito larvae in the mornings and Sera Flora in the night.
Gave them to a mate to put in his 6 foot tank back in June, as I didn't think it was right keeping them in the tiny tank they were in.

Once again, sorry for not updating you guys.

Cheers Craig.