Rainbow Goodeid

Rainbow Goodeid is a very delicate tropical fish. It becomes easily prone to diseases. It is believed that they have become extinct in the wild, thus they should be kept in a species tank without other goodeid species or else hybridisation will take place. Its other common name is Rainbow Characodon. Males grow approximately 4 cm (1.6 inches) and females grow around 5.5 cm (2.2 inches). If you are keen to know more about this fish, go through the following account.

Diet

Rainbow Goodeid is an omnivorous fish. It does not create fuss for food. You should feed it with live and frozen food with some vegetable material. Algae flakes are also relished by it.

Breeding

It is definitely not an easy livebearer that can be bred. To establish a workable population flock spawning is the best method. In Flock Spawning fish are maintained and bred in groups. There should be plenty of plants in the breeding tank. Females mate separately for each young brood. Development takes between 55-60 days after which 5-20 very big fry are produced. Sometimes presence of an umbilical cord is seen which disappears in 2-3 days. Fry are capable to consume the same food as the adults do. Parents hardly ever become their predators. It seems breeding is seasonal as female may not produce young for 6-8 months after some broods.

Description

Characodonlateralis is one of the most beautiful Goodeid species known. It is quite abundant in some localities around Durango while, in others, it is rare and considered threatened. Virtually all the stocks available today are the result of captive breeding programmes carried out by members of livebearer organizations in America, West Germany and Britain.

Cikarocodon species is known for about two years by the common name Black Prince. It is attributed to it by the British Aquarian Ivan Dibble. This fish is now officially been named as Characodon. Its requirements are similar to those of C. lateralis.

Tank Set Up

Rainbow Goodeid needs a planted aquarium which has a substrate composed of large gravel and/or small pebbles. This resembles its natural habitat. It is suggested to put a cover of floating plants. There should be 60 liters or more water in its tank. Keep the tank water thoroughly clean and see that filteration is efficient. It is necessary to frequently do small water changes. Leave any algae growth if you find as this fish will nibble it. Temperature should be from 17 degree C to 24 degree C or 62 degree F to 75 degree F. pH range should be 6.5-8.0. If possible water should be on the alkaline side of neutral.

Social Behavior

It is wise to keep it in a species tank. Males are observed with quite aggressive nature but after sometime they start pecking.

Rainbow Goodeid should be kept as a pet only by an expert fish keeper. It can be a tough livebearer to be maintained in the aquarium. Its life span is from 3 to 5 years. It is very susceptible to high temperatures and prone to diseases. The reason may be that this fish belongs to clear streams having very pure water. It may ask for a high price. Its natural status is precarious, thus attempts should be made to breed Rainbow Goodeid.