Freshwater Rainbowfish Care Guide

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE

2-12 inches depending on species (Most stay 3 inches or smaller) 

WATER TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS 

74-78 º F

TANK REQUIREMENTS 

10-50 gallons depending on species

SWIM LEVEL

Top to mid level

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Freshwater Rainbowfish are peaceful fast swimming fish. They are shoaling fish, so need to be kept in groups of 6 or more. Rainbows should be kept with other peaceful like-sized fish that can adapt to the quick movements of your shoal of Rainbows. Juvenile Rainbows are generally dull in color as these fish do not get full coloring until they reach adulthood.

FEEDING

Offer your Rainbowfish tropical fish flakes, appropriately sized pellets, or frozen or freezedried insect larvae daily. Most aquariums should be offered food twice a day in a quantity that can be completely consumed by its inhabitants within 1-2 minutes. Left over foods should be removed from the aquarium to avoid rotting. Stock level and types of species may require adjustments to these feeding recommendations.

SUPPLEMENTS

While supplements are not usually needed for Freshwater Rainbowfish if they are fed a varied diet, a lot of research has been done to suggest giving Vitamin C to a fish helps in disease prevention and healing.

ENVIRONMENT

Most large Rainbowfish species are hardy species and can be a great choice for starting an aquarium. Smaller Rainbows such as Celebese Rainbows will do best to be added to an established tank. Plants and décor should be added to the aquarium to provide hiding spots and obstacles to swim through.

ACCLIMATING & QUARANTINING NEW FISH

We recommend water acclamation and 24 hours of quarantine (if possible) for your new Freshwater Fish. To achieve this float the bag containing the new fish in your aquarium for 10 to 15 minutes to equalize temperatures. At this point you can add small amounts of your tank water to the fish bag every 15 minutes or so 3-4 times. At this point, catch your new fish out of the bag and release it into your quarantine aquarium.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• Tropical pellet or flake foods 
• Frozen or freeze-dried insect larvae 
• Live or artificial aquatic plants 
• Aquarium décor to provide hide spots

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.