{"product_id":"lake-tebera-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-herbertaxelrodi","title":"Lake Tebera Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Herbertaxelrodi","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLake Tebera Rainbowfish | A Rare Highland Gem From Papua New Guinea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Lake Tebera Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi) is one of the most beautiful and underappreciated rainbowfish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Endemic exclusively to Lake Tebera — a remote highland lake nestled in the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea at roughly 800 metres above sea level — this rare and striking fish is prized for its brilliant colouration: a vivid yellow-gold body with a shimmering greenish tinge, a bold bluish-to-black mid-lateral stripe running the length of the body, and yellow to red dorsal, anal, and caudal fins that intensify dramatically in breeding males. Large males develop a noticeably deep, laterally compressed body and extended finnage that make them one of the most impressive medium-sized rainbowfish available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStill relatively uncommon in the hobby outside of dedicated rainbowfish enthusiasts, the Lake Tebera Rainbowfish is a genuinely special find — and in a large school under good lighting, it is a breathtaking display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLake Tebera Rainbowfish Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: Lake Tebera Rainbowfish, Yellow Rainbowfish, Herbert Axelrod's Rainbowfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOrigin: Lake Tebera basin, Central Highlands, Papua New Guinea — endemic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: up to 4.7 inches (12 cm) — males noticeably larger and more colourful than females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 25 gallons (95 litres) for a small group — longer tanks strongly preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C) — a cooler highland species; best colour displayed at the lower end of this range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 7.5–7.8 — slightly alkaline water essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHardness: 8–15 dGH — moderately hard water preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest kept in groups of 6–8 or more, with a ratio of 1 male to 2 females\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: 3–5 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLake Tebera Rainbowfish Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA well-planted aquarium with open central swimming space, gentle to moderate water flow, and slightly hard, alkaline water suits these fish perfectly — reflecting the clear, cool, vegetated conditions of their highland lake home. Dense planting along the sides and background with Vallisneria, Java Fern, Anubias, and floating plants provides structure and security, while the open centre gives males room to display and the school room to move together. Dark substrate helps bring out the warmth of their yellow-gold colouration beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRegular weekly partial water changes are strongly recommended — consistent water quality is key to keeping their colouration at its most vivid and their health robust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your Lake Tebera Rainbowfish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOmnivores with a healthy appetite. A high quality flake or small pellet forms an excellent staple diet, supplemented generously with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, and small insects. A varied, protein-rich diet will bring out the full intensity of male colouration — particularly the deep yellow and red tones in the fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Many Lake Tebera Rainbowfish Should You Keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThese are a true shoaling species and should always be kept in groups of 6 or more. Males in the presence of other males will display their most vivid and intense colouration as they compete for female attention — the difference between a single male and a proper group is remarkable. A ratio of one male to two females reduces competition and stress while producing the best overall display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLake Tebera Rainbowfish Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOther peaceful rainbowfish of similar size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLarger tetras, barbs, and danios\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCorydoras and peaceful bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFreshwater gobies and similar community species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDue to their preference for slightly hard, alkaline water, they can be kept alongside some Rift Lake cichlid species in appropriately sized setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid soft water species that require acidic conditions — water chemistry compatibility is essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid fin-nipping species and slow-moving, long-finned fish that may be stressed by their active nature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48504017780958,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0645\/4768\/4574\/files\/Photo_c76bf674-ca83-49a4-aa92-26174c534b16.png?v=1741201181","url":"https:\/\/poseidonaquaticsandplants.com\/products\/lake-tebera-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-herbertaxelrodi","provider":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}