# Boesemani Rainbowfish (*Melanotaenia boesemani*) Boesemani Rainbowfish are bright and colorful, with beautiful blue and orange patterns. They are social and love to swim with their friends. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Boesemani Rainbowfish thrive in freshwater rivers and are known for their bright colors. - **Also known as:** Boeseman's Rainbowfish ![Boesemani Rainbowfish](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424645/objects/4744.jpg) ## Appearance The Boesemani Rainbowfish has a striking two-toned body, with the front half often steel-blue or purplish, transitioning sharply to a vibrant orange or yellow-gold on its rear half. Its fins are typically clear to yellowish, complementing its iridescent scales, making it visually distinct from other rainbowfish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Atheriniformes - **Family:** Melanotaeniidae - **Genus:** Melanotaenia ## Interesting facts - Male Boesemani rainbowfish 'flash' their brightest colors during morning courtship rituals! - These peaceful fish love to swim together in schools of twenty or more individuals! - They are named after Dr. Marinus Boeseman, a Dutch ichthyologist! - They were only discovered by scientists in the remote waters of New Guinea in 1976! ## Special abilities - **Chameleon Colors:** Boesemani Rainbowfish can intensify their vibrant colors because of special cells, which helps them attract mates or display dominance. - **Schooling Synchronizer:** Boesemani Rainbowfish has excellent group coordination because of their schooling instinct, that helps them confuse predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 3 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding They nibble on tiny plants, small bugs, and microscopic snacks in the water. - **Primary Foods:** Algae, Small crustaceans, Insect larvae, Zooplankton - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Forest Kingfisher (*Halcyon macleayii*) — Hunts small fish by diving into the water from perches. - **Eats:** Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — Feeds on these tiny crustaceans found in the water column. - **Eats:** Bloodworm (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Eats larvae of midges that live in the soft lakebed. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Boesemani Rainbowfish? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Boesemani Rainbowfish? 8-12 cm ### How much does Boesemani Rainbowfish weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Boesemani Rainbowfish live? 5-8 years ### What does Boesemani Rainbowfish eat? They nibble on tiny plants, small bugs, and microscopic snacks in the water. ### How fast can Boesemani Rainbowfish swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Boesemani Rainbowfish usually found? Boesemani Rainbowfish thrive in freshwater rivers and are known for their bright colors. ### How does Boesemani Rainbowfish hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Boesemani Rainbowfish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/boesemani-rainbowfish)