Ready for the next rainbowfish? Check out the Madagascar Rainbow. Back to Rainbowfish — Overview. Open the Main Menu.

The Lake Kutubu or Turquoise Rainbowfish has striking colors, with the male being an intense blue, that makes for a great centerpiece in the aquarium. Rainbowfish are known for the characteristic large eyes, black or silver band that runs through the middle scale rows, deeply forked mouth, and two dorsal fins.

This peaceful fish is a schooling fish that should be housed in a planted aquarium with plenty of swimming room. A gravel substrate will add to a good environment and, if dark enough, may intensify the color of the fish.

An egg layer, Melanotaenia lacustris spawns over moss in early morning or just after dawn in low to medium lighting. The fry hatch after roughly eight days and should be fed small, live foods such as brine shrimp.

Although the Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish has a large mouth, its throat tends to be narrow. Foods fed should be small in size. Its omnivore diet should include prepared flake, frozen, and live foods.

Ideal tank mates include: Discus, Angelfish, Guppies, Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Tetras, Gouramis, Barbs, Danios, Rasboras, Loaches, Plecos and Scavenger Catfish of similar size.