Iriatherina werneri - Threadfin Rainbowfish - Advice needed

Morning,

I've been thinking about buying some of these fish.

Would like to inquire if there's someone that could offer me some advice on these fish. I see they have some dietary requirements like Daphnia, Moina, Artemia nauplii, micro worm, copepods, etc

Would also like to know if they are suited to a community aquarium.

Thank you.

 

Thank you!

Stunning fish! Hope mine will end up looking as beautiful as the ones in the picture below!

 

Hi.
I have kept different types of rainbows for a while now. They should be kept in nice size schools as it will prevent over aggressive behavior. They are not fussy eaters and will take flake and frozen food. They really enjoy and appreciate having plants in the aquarium and will not destroy them.

They can be kept with non aggressive fish like tetra’s etc.

 

Tx @dash

How many would you recommend?

 

[h=2]Behaviour and Compatibility[/h] Very peaceful but not suitable for the general community aquarium since it’s easily outcompeted for food and the long fins of mature males may be nipped at by certain common species. It’s best maintained alone or alongside fishes of comparable size and disposition such as Pseudomugil spp., or if geography isn’t an issue Microdevario, Danionella, Eirmotus, Trigonostigma, pygmy Corydoras, small loricariids such as Otocinclus spp., and freshwater shrimp of the genera Caridina and Neocaridina are also suitable.
It’s a shoaling species by nature and really should be kept in a group of at least 6 specimens, ideally 10 or more. Maintaining it in such numbers will not only make the fish less nervous but result in a more effective, natural-looking display. Males will also display their best colours and some fascinating behaviour as they compete with one other for female attention.

 

@hviviers75

Yip, that's the one I read and that raised my concern.

 

You know what I would do if I was you if you really want this species of fish, then only get about 6-10 of them and only add the fish mentioned that will do fine with them.

So it will the be mainly a Threadfin Rainbow fish species tank with the odd corydoras and ottos.

Just and Idea.

 

@hviviers75

Hmmm.... I like the Neocaridina suggestion!

 

Pitty they are illegal to import and own.

 

Have you ever seen the bosmani rainbow fish? sorry about the spelling.

 

My personal opinion is they need at least a 3 foot or a 4 foot tank, they will grow to big in her tank.

They need lots of tank space to be happy.

 

Pseudomugil signifer – Pacific Blue-eye

@dash and @hviviers75

How about these little guys?

 

I see they grow between 3.5 - 7cm depending on the region they come from, also never seen them before.

Try and go for something that is available at most lfs.

 

The following comments are based on my own experience.:amuse:
2 years ago i bought 10 Threadfin rainbow males,they are very peaceful and eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths.
They are housed in my 100L planted community tank.(seven of them are still alive)

 

I am breeding the threadfins. Raised about 40 to adulthood and have another 12 or so fry at the moment. Great species. I had them with Emperors for a long time without any issues, but no breeding taking place - just had to make sure I fed enough so all fish got food. They cant swallow large food so flakes need to be finely powdered, bloodworm needs to be defrosted first and then cut into small pieces (I do this in a shot glass). They love bs. And finally I got some sinking pellets that I grind into a fine powder type dust using a mortar and pestle. Otherwise a very peaceful, attractive species.

 

@DewaldC and @TheGrissom

Thank you very much for the information and advice. I have ordered my Threadfins and are eagerly awaiting their arrival!

 

Nice where did you order them from and how much are you paying for them.

 

@hviviers75

Thought I'd give them a go - need some beauty in my tank.

Will pm you the details. They are in Pretoria but offer a lot more than the lfs around here. Prices also very reasonable.

 

Females are a problem to find. Took me more than a year to find mine (although I wasnt actively searching to be honest). Stumbled across them when I was in Cape Town. But if you arent planning to breed them then there isnt really an issue. The males are the attractive ones always displaying at each other and the females.