Bleher's rainbowfish
Chilatherina bleheri
A rainbowfish endemic to Lake Holmes (Danau Bira), a complex of three interconnected lakes in West Papua's Mamberamo basin at 430 meters altitude. Males develop a distinctive yellow forehead stripe during courtship — a unique trait in the genus. The body shows orange, turquoise and olive-green reflections that vary with mood and light. An active, social swimmer that needs spacious tanks with wide open swimming lanes and lateral vegetation. Breeding is relatively easy if water quality is maintained high.
Water Temperature
25 - 30 °C
pH Value
7 - 8
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Middle
Adult size
12 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 120 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
8 - 15 dGH
KH
4 - 7 dKH
TDS
160 - 295 ppm
Conductivity
250 - 461 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Lake Holmes (Danau Bira) in the Mamberamo River basin (Papua, Indonesia). The lake is isolated, surrounded by karstic limestone rocks and crystal clear water.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Bleher's Rainbowfish (Chilatherina bleheri). Massive Rainbowfish, discovered by Heiko Bleher. Easily reaches 12 cm (4.7 inches). High and compressed body with a small, upward-facing mouth.
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful, but it is a vigorous and hyperactive swimmer that requires schools of at least 6-8 specimens. Males exhibit dazzling colors during dawn displays, chasing each other without harm.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacular coloration divided in half: anterior silvery or greenish, posterior intense red-orange. Adult males develop a very bright red coloration and a more convex back. Drab, silver-gray females.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Tank at least 120 cm (48 inches) long. Prefers wide spaces for free swimming with dense vegetation (Vallisneria) only on the sides. A good surface current and calcareous rocks are important to maintain hardness.
Diet and Feeding: Opportunistic omnivore in nature. In the aquarium it accepts everything: flakes, floating granules, bloodworms, daphnia. The addition of foods containing astaxanthin will dramatically accentuate the red tones of the body.
Water Quality: Being a karst lake, the water must be hard and alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0, GH 8-15). Survives in neutral waters, but will lose much of the splendor of the colors. Very warm ideal temperature (25-30°C / 77-86°F).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion for community tanks of active and peaceful medium-sized fish (Botia, other Rainbowfish, large tetras, Barbs). Do not pair with timid fish that could get stressed by the hyperactivity.
Aquarium Breeding: Easy in a dedicated tank with a floating mop. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days. It is crucial to provide liquid micro-food or infusoria in the very first days of swimming of the tiny fry.
Risks and Diseases: Hyper-sensitive to nitrate accumulation. Fish Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium) manifests itself with lethal ulcers if the water ages or overcrowding causes immune stress.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to Lake Holmes (Danau Bira) in the Mamberamo River basin (Papua, Indonesia). The lake is isolated, surrounded by karstic limestone rocks and crystal clear water.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and MadagascarSouth and Southeast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- They exhibit a very peaceful and playful temperament suitable for most community setups. Males may display harmless sparring behaviors to establish hierarchy and impress females. They are schooling fish that require a group of at least six individuals to feel confident and exhibit natural behavior.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Bleher's rainbowfish are omnivores that readily accept a wide variety of foods. They should be offered high-quality flakes or pellets as a staple diet. Supplementing with live or frozen foods like daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp will enhance their stunning colors.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- The average lifespan for this species in the aquarium ranges from 5 to 8 years. Keeping the water clean, well-oxygenated, and low in nitrates is vital to prevent disease and support longevity. Frequent partial water changes are essential to maintain their vitality.
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 12 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 12 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Chilatherina bleheri (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- School
- A ratio of one male to two or three females is ideal to reduce harassment. Having multiple females allows the male to distribute his breeding attention evenly. If keeping a large school, an equal or female-heavy ratio ensures a harmonious environment.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is best to feed these energetic fish two to three times a day. Only offer an amount they can completely consume within two minutes to prevent water fouling. Regular, small meals help maintain their high energy levels and vibrant appearance.
- Bioload
- Medium
- Chilatherina bleheri contributes a moderate bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are active swimmers that require clean water conditions and regular water changes. Maintaining excellent filtration is essential to support a group of these rainbowfish.
- Flow
- Strong
- Coming from moderately flowing streams, they appreciate a decent water current in the aquarium. A steady, moderate flow simulates their natural riverine habitat and encourages natural swimming behaviors. You can achieve this using powerheads or a strong filter return.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- There is a significant risk of jumping when keeping this species, especially when startled. Rainbowfish are prone to leaping out of the water during feeding or playful chasing. A tight-fitting lid or cover glass is absolutely mandatory for their enclosure.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding involves the daily scattering of eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. The parents exhibit no parental care and will likely consume the eggs if not separated. Hatching typically occurs after a week, and fry require infusoria as their initial food source.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- With caution
- This species is highly peaceful and thrives in a vibrant community aquarium. They do best when kept with other similarly sized, peaceful, and active fish. Avoid housing them with slow-moving or long-finned species that might be intimidated by their fast swimming.
- Tank level
- Middle
- Chilatherina bleheri primarily occupies the middle to upper levels of the water column. They are constantly on the move, exploring the open swimming spaces near the surface. Providing floating plants can make them feel more secure while inhabiting these higher zones.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 2.8 ± 0.3 se
- Resilience
- Medium (1.4 - 4.4 years)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5005
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01122, b = 3.04
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
