Australian Native Rainbowfish
Celebrate Australia's incredible freshwater biodiversity with our collection of Australian Native Rainbowfish. Known for their brilliant colours, peaceful temperament and active schooling behaviour, these hardy fish are fantastic additions to community aquariums and planted displays.
Why You'll Love Australian Native Rainbowfish
- Beautiful colours that become more vibrant with age
- Active schooling fish with endless personality
- Excellent for peaceful community aquariums
- Hardy and suitable for both beginners and experienced fishkeepers
- Proudly showcases Australia's unique freshwater wildlife
Creating the Ideal Home
Tank Size
Most Australian Rainbowfish appreciate aquariums of 75 litres or larger. Keeping them in schools allows them to display their best colours and natural behaviour.
Temperature
Most species thrive between 22–28°C, although some native species can tolerate cooler temperatures depending on their natural habitat.
Water Quality
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm
- pH: 6.8–8.0
Stable water conditions and regular maintenance will keep your rainbowfish healthy and displaying their brightest colours.
Filtration
Rainbowfish enjoy well-oxygenated water with moderate flow. A quality hang-on filter or canister filter provides excellent circulation and biological filtration.
Aquascaping
Use hardy aquatic plants around the edges while leaving open swimming space through the centre of the aquarium. Driftwood, rocks and natural décor help recreate Australian creek environments.
Feeding
Australian Rainbowfish are enthusiastic feeders and thrive on a varied diet.
- Premium flakes
- Small floating pellets
- Frozen bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Live foods when available
A varied diet helps maximise colour, growth and breeding behaviour.
Suitable Tank Mates
Australian Rainbowfish are peaceful and mix well with many community species.
- Blue Eye Rainbowfish (Pseudomugils)
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Corydoras
- Plecos
- Peaceful Gouramis
- Shrimp in well-established planted aquariums
Avoid aggressive cichlids or large predatory fish that may harass or eat smaller rainbowfish.
Popular Australian Native Species
- Eastern Rainbowfish
- Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish
- Murray River Rainbowfish
- Desert Rainbowfish
- Threadfin Rainbowfish
- Pacific Blue Eye
Australian Native Rainbowfish FAQs
Are Australian Rainbowfish easy to keep?
Yes. Most species are hardy, active and well suited to established community aquariums with stable water quality.
How many should I keep?
Rainbowfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six, with larger schools displaying better colour and more natural behaviour.
Can they live with shrimp?
Adult shrimp are often left alone, although very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten.
Do Australian Rainbowfish need plants?
While not essential, planted aquariums provide security, improve water quality and encourage natural behaviour.
Do their colours improve over time?
Yes. As males mature and are kept in healthy schools with quality food, their colours become significantly brighter, especially during displays and breeding.
Need some help?
Can't find what you're looking for? Here are some common questions.
🔍 Can't find what you're looking for?
We're always adding new livestock, plants and aquarium supplies to our website. If you can't find what you're after, send us a message—we may already have it in stock, have it arriving soon, or be able to source it for you.
📦 Found something that's out of stock?
Popular items can sell out quickly. Many products are restocked regularly, especially livestock and aquarium plants. If there's something you're waiting for, let us know and we'll check when it's expected back.
🐠 Need help choosing the right livestock?
We're happy to help! Tell us about your aquarium, including your tank size, water parameters and current livestock, and we'll recommend species that are suitable for your setup.
📋 Can you special order an item?
Yes! We can often source fish, shrimp, plants, snails, equipment and aquarium supplies through our supplier network. If you're looking for something specific, send us a message and we'll see what's available.
🚚 Questions about shipping?
We take great care when packing every order to give your livestock the best chance of arriving safely. If you have questions about shipping, weather delays or delivery to your area, please contact us before ordering—we're always happy to help.
💬 Still have a question? Contact us.
We'd love to help! You can reach us through our Contact page, Facebook Messenger or by email, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.