# Melanotaenia splendida The splendid rainbowfish is a colorful fish that loves to swim in groups. It has bright colors that can make it look like a little rainbow in the water! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and streams - **Also known as:** Splendid Rainbowfish ![Melanotaenia splendida](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melanotaenia_spec.jpg&width=800) Photo: opencage, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanotaenia_spec.jpg) ## Appearance The Melanotaenia splendida is an elongated, brightly colored fish, often displaying shimmering iridescent scales of red, orange, yellow, blue, or green. It has two distinct dorsal fins and a forked tail, with males typically more vibrant than females. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Atheriniformes - **Family:** Melanotaeniidae - **Genus:** Melanotaenia ## Interesting facts - Male rainbowfish perform vibrant color dances to impress potential mates! - Some can survive in water that is much warmer or cooler than usual! - These fish are known as 'Rainbowfish' because of their dazzling, ever-changing colors! - They are excellent swimmers, navigating swift river currents with surprising ease. ## Special abilities - **Vivid Display:** Melanotaenia splendida has brilliant, changeable colors that help males attract mates and define territories. - **Streamline Speed:** Melanotaenia splendida has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body that helps them dart quickly to escape predators or catch food. - **Adaptable Gills:** Melanotaenia splendida can tolerate varying water oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in diverse freshwater environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding These small fish are omnivores, munching on tiny bugs, algae, and plant bits they find. - **Primary Foods:** algae, aquatic insects, small crustaceans, zooplankton, plant matter - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Royal Spoonbill (*Platalea regia*) — Spoonbills hunt small fish in shallow freshwater habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Barramundi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barramundi) (*Lates calcarifer*) — Juvenile barramundi prey on smaller fish like rainbowfish. - **Eats:** Common Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — Rainbowfish actively feed on these tiny crustaceans. - **Eats:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Larvae of midges are a common food source for these fish. ## Traits - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch your step near water to stay safe and dry. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Melanotaenia splendida? 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 Melanotaenia splendida? 8-15 cm ### How much does Melanotaenia splendida weigh? 0.01-0.05 kg ### How long does Melanotaenia splendida live? 3-5 years ### What does Melanotaenia splendida eat? These small fish are omnivores, munching on tiny bugs, algae, and plant bits they find. ### How fast can Melanotaenia splendida swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Melanotaenia splendida usually found? Freshwater rivers and streams ### How does Melanotaenia splendida 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: [Melanotaenia splendida: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/melanotaenia-splendida)