🐟TankstockerFreshwater Stocking & Compatibility

🐟 Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish Melanotaenia praecox

Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) — male
Male
Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) — female
Female

The Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a easy-care, peaceful species from Mamberamo basin, West Papua. Adults reach roughly 2.5", so plan on a minimum tank of 20 gallons. Keep the water between 73–82°F with a pH of 6.5–7.5. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 6 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Adult size2.5"
Minimum tank20 gallons
Temperature73–82°F
pH6.5–7.5
TemperamentPeaceful
SchoolingYes — group of 6+
DietOmnivore
Care levelEasy
OriginMamberamo basin, West Papua

Good tankmates for Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish

Neon TetraCardinal TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGuppyEndler's LivebearerPlatyMollySwordtailDiscusGerman Blue RamBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpMystery SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbBoesemani RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiMoonlight GouramiChocolate GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraRainbow CichlidPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxLeast KillifishGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioRuby BarbMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeRed RainbowfishCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaStrawberry BettaGolden RamFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidHongsloi CichlidCheckerboard CichlidEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabLyretail KillifishClown KillifishRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

See the full tankmate guide for Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish →