Description
Remarks: The first known collection report for the Susi Creek Rainbow was in March of 2019, when Imperial Tropical’s owner Mike Drawdy collected some with several other hobbyists in the Bird’s Head Peninsula of New Guinea. They are very similar to M. klasioensis, though M. susii have a red coloration in the edges of the caudal fin rays that goes through the tips of the fin (as opposed to a black coloration in M. klasioensis). They are an electric-orange color when when in mating dress with black horizontal and vertical bars and fins, however they are mauve during juvenile stages of growth.
The fish are omnivorous and should be fed a quality flake food with supplemental proteins such as baby brine shrimp. They require clean water but tolerate a wide variety of water parameters. By providing frequent water changes, you will be rewarded with nearly continuous spawning attempts. Melanotaenia species deposit eggs in weedy areas (often mimicked by a yarn mop) and the eggs hatch 7-10 days later. Eggs can be harvested for hatching in separate tanks to avoid predation. Most Rainbows show their best colors at sunrise, when the males display their bright fins for potential mates. Having more females than males will allow for proper color displays and avoid any unwanted aggression towards lone females.
