Red Rainbow

The red rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) comes from Lake Sentani in West Papua, and a mature male is one of the most solidly coloured freshwater fish available: a deep brick to strawberry red over the whole body, with a high, arched back that deepens further with age. Females are a completely different-looking fish, olive-silver and slimmer, which catches out buyers who expect a tank of red. Colour builds over a year or more.

Aquarium care

• Reaches about 12 cm and needs a long tank.
• Peaceful but large and constantly moving.
• Keep six or more, with females included so males display.
• Prefers hard, alkaline water.
• Wants open swimming space with planting at the sides and back.
• Omnivorous: quality flake, pellets and frozen foods.

Suits a large community with Boesemani and other big rainbowfish, larger barbs, silver dollars and robust catfish. Small nano fish will be kept on edge by the movement.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current rainbows.