Neon Dwarf Rainbow

Neon Dwarf Rainbow (Melanotaenia praecox) is a beautifully iridescent freshwater fish known for its glowing neon blue scales, bright red fins and peaceful temperament. Our neon dwarf rainbowfish grow to around 5cm, and their compact size and active nature make them a great choice for planted aquariums and community tanks.

Location

Neon Dwarf Rainbows come from western New Guinea, in Indonesia’s Papua province, where they inhabit clear, slow flowing waters surrounded by dense vegetation. In captivity, they thrive in well maintained tanks that mimic their natural environment with plenty of plants and clean, stable water.

Diet

Neon Dwarf Rainbows are omnivorous and benefit from a varied diet. Offer a mix of high quality flakes, micro pellets, and occasional live or frozen treats like daphnia or bloodworms. Their diet supports colouration and vitality, especially in males, which tend to be more vividly coloured.

Care

They do best in tropical freshwater setups with temperatures between 24 and 28°C and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Clean water and regular maintenance are essential for their health. These fish are hardy but can become stressed if water conditions fluctuate too much.

Habitat

Neon Dwarf Rainbows prefer tanks with plenty of swimming space and densely planted areas for cover. They enjoy being in groups, so keeping at least six individuals helps them feel secure and display their natural behaviour. Gentle filtration and moderate lighting are ideal.

Breeding

Breeding Neon Dwarf Rainbows is achievable in a home aquarium. They scatter their eggs among fine leaved plants. A separate breeding tank can increase success, especially if you remove the adults after spawning to protect the eggs from being eaten.

They mix well with our spotted blue eye rainbowfish and rummy nose tetras, or browse all our rainbowfish and killifish. Buy more and save, with multi-buy discounts from 5 fish.

Shipping Information

We take care to ensure your order arrives in excellent condition and ready to settle into your aquarium. All orders are shipped with tracking, and the cut-off time for same-day dispatch is 4 pm.

Orders containing dry goods, shrimp, snails or plants are dispatched Monday to Friday via Royal Mail for fast, reliable delivery. Livestock, in particular live fish and invertebrates, are dispatched Monday to Wednesday only, using an approved overnight courier, to avoid weekend delays and ensure safe and timely delivery.

Track Your Order

You will receive a tracking number by email when we begin processing your order for shipping. The selected courier will provide updates on delivery only through their tracking page.

During colder weather, heat packs are added when needed. Livestock orders are carefully packed in insulated boxes to help maintain a stable temperature throughout transit.

View our Shipping Policy