Melanotaenia Jakora

Formerly called "sp. Sparkle" Rainbowfish from tannin-stained "Kali Jakora," this smaller fish thrives in soft acidic conditions but has been acclimated and adjusted to neutral water parameters similar to the other Bird's Head Peninsula Melanotaenia species or the Paracheirodon species from South America.

Being a rainbowfish, Melanotaenia jakora will readily accept flake foods, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp as well as all live miceocrustaceans. Just like other rainbows, adequate and quality feedings will condition mature fish to spawn and lay eggs on plants, in mosses and in yard spawning mops, with eggs hatching in 7-14 days given proper incubation techniques are employed.

Topping out at 2.5-3" in captivity, this species can do well in tanks smaller than 3ft in length and puts on an electrifying display when they are well cared for and properly maintained, showing off iridescent blues and electric whites over a grey-pink base color as well as hints of pink in the tail. 

This fish was a relatively new discovery by Gary Lange and Johannes Graf's collecting team and this fish was officially described in late 2023 by Johannes Graf. The description can be found by signing up with ANGFA (Australia & New Guinea Fishes Association - a group dedicated to aquatic husbandry of fish from that region) and accessing their Fishes of Sahul magazine.