Remarks: Contrary to most Rainbowfish species, male Boesemani Rainbows (Melanotaenia boesemani) exhibit a different color pattern in the front half and back half of their body when mature. This line of Lake Aytinjo Boesemani originates from Gary Lange. They are slightly smaller and show more intense orange and red coloration compared to the common Boesemani, which are yellow to orange in most cases. The photo is credited to Jimmy Walker.

There is some thought among hobbyists that the Uter and Aytinjo Boesemani are the same variant, but we have kept them separate for posterity’s sake. Lake Uter is adjacent to Lake Aytinjo, but it is believed that the fish were collected from the same spot.

These 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.