20 Colorful Species of Rainbowfish

Boesemani Rainbowfish

One of the most recognized rainbowfish in the aquarium hobby, the Boeseman's or Boesemani Rainbowfish has a two-toned color with a blue/purple head and an orange/red back end. These rainbowfish are very easy to care for and are a common fish in many tropical community aquariums. They do well in groups, and the males' color will often get brighter when they are getting ready to spawn.

Axelrod's Rainbowfish

(image from previous publication)

The Axelrod, or Axelrodi rainbowfish, is named after tropical fish expert Herbert Axelrod. This species of rainbowfish has a lighter colored body with a blue-tinged abdomen. The Axelrod rainbowfish prefers slower moving waters, mimicking the gentle streams of their native waters in the Yungkiri Stream of Papua New Guinea.

Desert Rainbowfish

Desert rainbowfish, native to Australia, have silvery-white females and white males with purple or green-tinged fins. Due to their limited range, they have very specific water quality requirements. A stark color variation compared to many more brightly colored rainbowfish species, this one may more easily hide in lighter-colored décor and is easier to see in darker environments.

Madagascan Rainbowfish

A note to fish keepers interested in the Madagascan rainbowfish is this species preference for low pH water. Their native habitats are characterized by extremely soft freshwater, with low pH and tannin-stained water. These rainbowfish have a silver body with yellow fins, and males are more saturated with color than females. The Madagascan rainbowfish may do well with South American cichlids with similar water quality tolerances, such as discus and angelfish, and they like stronger current in their tanks.

Banded Rainbowfish

The banded rainbowfish is a popular species of rainbowfish, given their bright coloration and peaceful nature. Native to Northern Australia freshwaters, males will have wider, more colorful bodies and a humped forehead. Both males and females have brightly-colored fins with a darker stripe along their midbody. This species prefers being in small groups in planted tanks. Like some other species, males will become aggressive during breeding.

Threadfin Rainbowfish

In addition to stark differences in their required pH and temperature, the threadfin rainbowfish has a very unique body and fin shapes. They prefer water that is soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic (pH 6.0–7.0), and with a temperature of 73–84 degrees Fahrenheit (23–29 degrees Celsius). They are significantly smaller than other species of rainbowfish, with thin bodies and long extensions on the dorsal and anal fins on males. In addition to their elongated fins, males have faint vertical stripes with red/orange caudal fins. 

Celebes Rainbowfish

The Celebes rainbowfish is a smaller, more slender species of rainbowfish. This species likes to be kept in large schools of 8-10 fish, so be sure to plan your aquarium accordingly so that you have enough room for everyone. Celebes rainbowfish have a unique fin shape with two dorsal fins colored yellow/golden and black, and a translucent body.

Neon Rainbowfish

The neon rainbowfish is one of the smallest rainbowfish species in the commercial market. Given their smaller size, they like to be in larger groups of 10 or more individuals. They are very picky about their water quality parameters, so be sure to pay special attention to your water tests if you are adding a bunch of fish at once. They are named for their neon blue and green coloration, which can present as a brilliant flash in your aquarium as they all school together.

Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish

The Lake Kutubu rainbowfish is named for its origin at Lake Kutubu in Papua New Guinea. This species of rainbowfish is known for jewel-tone blue, yellow and/or turquoise appearance. Like most rainbowfish species, the males tend to be more vibrantly colored than females.

Red Irian Rainbowfish

The red rainbowfish, or red Irian rainbowfish, originates from New Guinea’s Tami River and Lake Sentani. Males can be differentiated from females by their bright red coloration with high rounded back. In contrast, females have silver bodies with tints of yellow and green.

Lake Wanam Rainbowfish

Although the Lake Wanam rainbowfish is named for their origins in Lake Wanam in Papau New Guinea, you are very unlikely to find any remaining in their home waters. The Lake Wanam rainbowfish is listed as critically endangered and not common in the hobby, and only sold through specialized breeders. As with any fish species you are looking to purchase, always consider if your fish is coming from a breeder or collected from wild stock.

Forktail Rainbowfish

The forktail rainbowfish is a small, slender species of rainbowfish with blue eyes and namesake forked tail. Their colors brighten during breeding season, with the males becoming brilliantly yellow. Given their small size, this species really likes being in large groups with lots of plants to hide in.

Crimson-Spotted Rainbowfish

Also known as Duboulay's rainbowfish, the crimson-spotted rainbowfish is so named for its characteristic red spot on both sides of their head. Their red coloration continues as red/orange speckles, which may conjoin to form lines, along their body sides. They are native to Australia and have been released into swamps and rivers to help combat mosquitos by eating the aquatic mosquito larvae.

Murray Rainbowfish

The Murray River rainbowfish, also known as Murray rainbowfish or Australian rainbowfish, have more subtle colors, often being a soft rainbow of blue, green, yellow or silver. Male Murray River rainbowfish will have a bright orange stripe on their back end when they are getting ready to spawn.

Redfin Dwarf Rainbowfish

The redfin dwarf rainbowfish has a unique appearance with black stripes and vibrant red/orange tinged fins. Native to Australia, this rainbowfish can tolerate a wide range of water quality parameters and they breed readily in captivity.

Parkinsoni Rainbowfish

The Parkinsoni rainbowfish is a mix of silver and vivid yellow colors. Depending on the individual, they may have a lot of yellow pigmentation on their sides, or only in their fins.

Spotted Blue-Eyed Rainbowfish

The spotted blue-eyed rainbowfish, also know as Gertrude's spotted rainbowfish, is a small species of rainbowfish that has a unique fin appearance with black spots and vivid yellow tint. As its name implies, their eyes are ringed with blue, giving them a very vibrant appearance. This species of rainbowfish is very small, so they do best in schooling groups of 6 or more fish.

Lake Tebera Rainbowfish

The Lake Tebera rainbowfish originates from Papau New Guinea near Lake Tebera. Like Axelrod's rainbowfish, this fish takes its scientific name from aquarist, Herbert Axelrod. They can have a vibrant yellow body with a black stripe along the middle of their sides. Their fins may be tinted red or yellow.

Sentani Rainbowfish

Although they may not be considered very "colorful" compared to other rainbowfish, the orange/tan coloration of the Sentani rainbowfish is a bright contrast against the greens of a planted aquarium. Their fins have a mix of blue/green/red pigments that catch the light as they dart around their tank. This is a critically endangered species, so be wary from where you purchase this species and ensure they are captive-bred individuals. The Sentani rainbowfish shares its habitat with the red rainbowfish and is commonly mistaken for Chilatherina fasciata.

Eastern Rainbowfish

A close relation to the desert rainbowfish, the Eastern rainbowfish has a more orange and grey coloration with iridescent scales. They are best visualized in brightly lit aquariums with lots of plants. These are a larger rainbowfish species, but still do best in a small group.