Wapoga Rainbowfish - Chilaterina alleni "Wapoga"

Wapoga Rainbowfish (Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”)

The Wapoga Rainbowfish is a beautiful New Guinea rainbowfish, prized for its active shoaling behaviour and mature male colouration that can show red, orange, yellow, blue and turquoise tones depending on age, mood and display condition. This Wapoga locality form of Allen’s Rainbowfish is an excellent choice for a spacious planted aquarium, where males will regularly flare, display and intensify in colour when kept with females and rival males. It is peaceful, lively and best suited to aquariums with clean, well-oxygenated water and plenty of swimming space.

Common Name:
Wapoga Rainbowfish. Also commonly referred to as Wapoga Red Rainbowfish, Allen’s Rainbowfish, Alleni Rainbowfish or Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Chilatherina alleni “Wapoga”

Maximum Size:
Around 10–12 cm in captivity, with males usually becoming larger, deeper-bodied and more colourful than females.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
This locality form is associated with the Wapoga River system and surrounding tributaries in northern West Papua, Indonesia. In the wild, Chilatherina alleni occurs in slow to moderately flowing rainforest streams and tributaries with sandy, gravelly or rocky substrates, submerged wood, leaf litter, plant cover and clear to lightly stained water.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water

Temperament:
Peaceful and suitable for a well-planned community aquarium. Males will display strongly to each other, especially after water changes or during breeding behaviour, but this is normally harmless when they are kept in a proper group with enough space.

Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small pellets, colour-enhancing foods, frozen brineshrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. A varied diet helps support strong colour, condition and natural displaying behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 200 litres, with a 4ft aquarium or larger preferred due to their active swimming behaviour.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-to-upper level shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8 or more. Males become most impressive when kept with females and rival males, showing stronger colour and display behaviour in a mature aquarium with planted margins, open swimming space and stable water quality. Like many rainbowfish, they can jump when startled, so a secure lid is recommended.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful and works well with other robust, non-aggressive community fish that enjoy similar water conditions. Suitable tank mates include other rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, danios, Corydoras, bristlenose plecos and calm dwarf cichlids. Avoid aggressive cichlids, persistent fin nippers, very shy species and small delicate fish that may be stressed by its activity level.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, well-filtered aquarium with excellent oxygenation, regular maintenance and plenty of open swimming space. Planted sides, darker substrate and good-quality lighting can help enhance colour, while the centre of the aquarium should remain open for swimming. Locality forms should not be mixed with other Chilatherina alleni strains if the aim is to preserve pure breeding lines.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade, especially as a locality strain

All 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.