Description
Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) – Vivid Blue from the Highlands of Papua New Guinea
The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris) is renowned for its intense, shimmering blue coloration and peaceful, social nature. Native only to Lake Kutubu and the Soro River in Papua New Guinea, this species is a gem among rainbowfish, admired for its electric blue body, yellowish fins, and graceful schooling behavior.
With proper care, these fish can display dazzling coloration and become an eye-catching centerpiece in a well-maintained aquarium. Their vibrant hues and active swimming make them ideal for large, peaceful community setups.
Key Features:
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Latin Name: Melanotaenia lacustris
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Common Name: Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
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Coloration: Iridescent electric blue with yellow or clear fins
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Temperament: Peaceful, energetic, and best kept in groups
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Size: Up to 4–5 inches
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Tank Requirements: Minimum 40 gallons, planted with open swimming areas
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Diet: Omnivorous—high-quality flakes, pellets, and live/frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp
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Compatibility: Excellent with other peaceful mid- to top-dwelling species; thrives in schools of 6 or more
Tips:
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Provide a mixed-gender group for best color and natural behavior.
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Keep water clean and well-oxygenated with regular water changes.
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Use a dark background or substrate to enhance their brilliant blue.
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Ideal tankmates include other rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, tetras, and catfish.
Why Choose This Fish?
The Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish offers a mesmerizing splash of iridescent blue and lively activity to any freshwater setup. Perfect for aquarists seeking a colorful, peaceful schooling fish with a fascinating wild origin, this species brings both beauty and energy to your aquarium.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
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