{"product_id":"three-stripe-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-trifasciata-blyth-river","title":"Blyth River Banded Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia trifasciata","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlyth River Banded Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata “Blyth River”)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blyth River Banded Rainbowfish is a beautiful Australian rainbowfish locality form of Melanotaenia trifasciata, prized for its deep body, strong mid-lateral band and mature male colouration that can develop rich red, orange, gold and darker flank tones. This Blyth River form comes from northern Australia and is closely related in appearance to some of the better-known Goyder River-type banded rainbowfish, but it remains a highly desirable locality strain in its own right. In the aquarium it is an active, social and eye-catching mid-to-upper water swimmer that looks best in a spacious planted aquarium with clean, well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlyth River Banded Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as the Banded Rainbowfish, Three Stripe Rainbowfish, Jewel Rainbowfish or Blyth River Rainbowfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMelanotaenia trifasciata “Blyth River”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 10–12 cm in captivity, with large mature males capable of reaching around 13 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis locality form originates from the Blyth River in the Northern Territory, Australia. The Blyth River population is associated with clear, well-oxygenated streams and spring-fed areas, including faster-flowing shaded sections with sandy, gravelly or rocky substrates. The wider species is found across northern Australia in streams, creeks, waterholes and seasonally variable freshwater habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–28°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 7.0–8.0\u003cbr\u003eHardness: soft to moderately hard water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. It is an active, fast-moving rainbowfish, so it is best kept with similarly sized peaceful fish that will not be stressed by its constant swimming activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOmnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, micro pellets, colour-enhancing foods, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and occasional live foods. A varied diet will help support strong colour, condition and breeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA practical recommendation is at least 200 litres for a proper group, with a longer aquarium preferred to provide open swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a very active mid-to-upper level swimmer that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8 or more. Males display their best colours when kept with females and rival males, especially in a spacious aquarium with open swimming areas, planted margins and good water movement. Like many rainbowfish, it may jump, so a secure lid is strongly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis species is peaceful, but because of its speed and activity level it is best kept with other robust, peaceful community fish rather than very shy, slow-moving or delicate species. Good tank mates include other rainbowfish, larger tetras, peaceful barbs, danios, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos and other non-aggressive fish that enjoy similar water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in clean, mature, well-oxygenated water with moderate flow and regular maintenance. It benefits from a planted aquarium with open swimming space, darker substrate to enhance colour and a secure lid to prevent jumping. Avoid keeping it singly or in very small numbers, as it is a social shoaling fish that becomes more confident and colourful in a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to intermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOccasional in trade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":45961571074221,"sku":"AG-102678","price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":45961571106989,"sku":"AG-102679","price":9.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":45961571139757,"sku":"AG-102680","price":11.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large","offer_id":45961571172525,"sku":"AG-102681","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/ThreeStripeRainbowfish-MelanotaeniatrifasciataBlythRiver.jpg?v=1777471072","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/three-stripe-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-trifasciata-blyth-river","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}