Aquariumrainbowfish · freshwater
Boesemani Rainbowfish: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) grows to about 5.2 in (11 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 48 inches long and about 29 gallons. Keep at least 6 together, at 81–86°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 5.2 in (11 cm SL)
- Minimum tank
- 48 inches long and about 29 gallons
- Temperature
- 81–86°F
- pH
- 7–8
- Hardness
- 9–20 dGH
- Group size
- 6+
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- peaceful
- Swims
- middle of the tank
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- intermediate
- Lifespan
- not stated in sources
Watch for: eats shrimp · jumps, so keep a lid
Boesemani Rainbowfish tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Cardinal TetraAdult ~1.7 in · 73–84°F
- Endler's LivebearerNeeds careAdult ~1.2 in · 75–86°F
- Pearl GouramiAdult ~5.7 in · 75–86°F
- BettaNeeds careAdult ~3.3 in · 72–86°F
- German Blue RamNeeds careAdult ~1.9 in · 81–86°F
- AngelfishNeeds careAdult ~7.1 in · 75–86°F
- Firemouth CichlidAdult ~5.7 in · 68–90°F
- Three-spot GouramiNeeds careAdult ~7.1 in · 75–86°F
- Moonlight GouramiAdult ~7.1 in · 77–86°F
- Japanese Trapdoor SnailAdult ~2.6 in · 68–85°F
Use caution
- Harlequin RasboraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Harlequin Rasbora only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- Ember TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Ember Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- Chili RasboraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Chili Rasbora only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- Cherry BarbBoesemani Rainbowfish and Cherry Barb only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window.
- Black Neon TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Black Neon Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- Glowlight TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Glowlight Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- Lemon TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish and Lemon Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
- GuppyBoesemani Rainbowfish and Guppy only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.
Avoid
- Neon TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Neon Tetra (70–77°F) need different temperatures.
- Celestial Pearl DanioBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Celestial Pearl Danio (68–79°F) need different temperatures.
- Rummy-nose TetraBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Rummy-nose Tetra (73–79°F) need different temperatures.
- PlatyBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Platy (68–79°F) need different temperatures.
- Panda CoryBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Panda Cory (72–77°F) need different temperatures.
- Pygmy CoryBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Pygmy Cory (72–79°F) need different temperatures.
- Julii CoryBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Julii Cory (72–79°F) need different temperatures.
- Kuhli LoachBoesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Kuhli Loach (70–79°F) need different temperatures.
All 105 species we checked against the Boesemani Rainbowfish
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cardinal Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Endler's Livebearer | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| German Blue Ram | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Moonlight Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Three-spot Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bala Shark | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bala Shark only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Black Neon Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Black Neon Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bleeding Heart Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Bolivian Ram | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bolivian Ram only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Bronze Cory | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bronze Cory only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window. |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Buenos Aires Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Bumblebee Goby | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bumblebee Goby only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Cherry Barb | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Cherry Barb only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window. |
| Chili Rasbora | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Chili Rasbora only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Clown Pleco | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Clown Pleco only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish (pH 7–8) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH. |
| Congo Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Congo Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Diamond Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Diamond Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Discus | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish (9–20 dGH) and Discus (0–5 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Dwarf Gourami | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Dwarf Gourami only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window. |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Electric Blue Acara | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Electric Blue Acara only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Electric Yellow Lab only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Ember Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Ember Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Forktail Blue-eye only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Glowlight Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Guppy | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Guppy only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Harlequin Rasbora only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Head-and-tail-light Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Honey Gourami | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Honey Gourami only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window. |
| Kissing Gourami | Caution | Kissing Gourami can bully smaller, peaceful Boesemani Rainbowfish. |
| Kribensis | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Kribensis only share 81–81°F. That's a tight window. |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Lambchop Rasbora only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Lemon Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Lemon Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Marbled Hatchetfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Molly | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Molly only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Oscar | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Oscar only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Oscar can bully smaller, peaceful Boesemani Rainbowfish. |
| Pea Puffer | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Pea Puffer only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Penguin Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Penguin Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Pristella Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Pristella Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Ramshorn Snail | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Ramshorn Snail only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Serpae Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Serpae Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Silver Hatchetfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Silver Tip Tetra only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Sparkling Gourami | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Sparkling Gourami only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Sterbai Cory | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Sterbai Cory only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Swordtail | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Swordtail only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Upside-down Catfish | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Upside-down Catfish only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| Yoyo Loach | Caution | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Yoyo Loach only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window. |
| African Dwarf Frog | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and African Dwarf Frog (74–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Amano Shrimp | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Amano Shrimp (70–80°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Amano Shrimp. |
| Assassin Snail | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Assassin Snail (75–80°F) need different temperatures. |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Bamboo Shrimp only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Bamboo Shrimp. |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Black Skirt Tetra (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (76–80°F) need different temperatures.; Blood Parrot Cichlid can bully smaller, peaceful Boesemani Rainbowfish. |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Bristlenose Pleco (70–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Celestial Pearl Danio (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Cherry Shrimp | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Cherry Shrimp only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Cherry Shrimp. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Chinese Algae Eater (72–79°F) need different temperatures.; Chinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Boesemani Rainbowfish is peaceful. |
| Clown Killifish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Clown Killifish (68–79°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish (9–20 dGH) and Clown Killifish (1–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Common / Comet Goldfish (68–75°F) need different temperatures. |
| Common Pleco | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Common Pleco (70–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Convict Cichlid only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Convict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Boesemani Rainbowfish is peaceful. |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Crystal Red Shrimp (71–76°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Denison Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Denison Barb (59–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Fancy Goldfish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Fancy Goldfish (50–70°F) need different temperatures. |
| Ghost Shrimp | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish and Ghost Shrimp only share 81–82°F. That's a tight window.; Boesemani Rainbowfish will eat Ghost Shrimp. |
| Giant Danio | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Giant Danio (61–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Glass Catfish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Glass Catfish (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Gold Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Gold Barb (61–75°F) need different temperatures. |
| Hillstream Loach | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Hillstream Loach (68–75°F) need different temperatures. |
| Iridescent Shark | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Iridescent Shark (72–79°F) need different temperatures.; Iridescent Shark eats small fish, and Boesemani Rainbowfish only grows to about 5.2 in. |
| Julii Cory | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Julii Cory (72–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Kuhli Loach | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Kuhli Loach (70–79°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish (9–20 dGH) and Kuhli Loach (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Malaysian Trumpet Snail (70–80°F) need different temperatures. |
| Mystery Snail | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Mystery Snail (70–78°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish (pH 7–8) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH. |
| Neon Tetra | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Neon Tetra (70–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Nerite Snail | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Nerite Snail (72–78°F) need different temperatures. |
| Odessa Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Odessa Barb (61–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Otocinclus | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Otocinclus (70–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Panda Cory | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Panda Cory (72–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Paradise Fish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Paradise Fish (50–72°F) need different temperatures. |
| Pearl Danio | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Pearl Danio (61–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Peppered Cory | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Peppered Cory (72–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Pictus Catfish | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Pictus Catfish (72–77°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish (pH 7–8) and Pictus Catfish (pH 5.8–6.8) prefer different pH. |
| Platy | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Platy (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Pygmy Cory | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Pygmy Cory (72–79°F) need different temperatures.; Boesemani Rainbowfish (9–20 dGH) and Pygmy Cory (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Rainbow Shark | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Rainbow Shark (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Red-Tail Shark | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Red-Tail Shark (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Rosy Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Rosy Barb (61–75°F) need different temperatures. |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Rummy-nose Tetra (73–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Scissortail Rasbora (72–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Siamese Algae Eater (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Tiger Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Tiger Barb (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Tinfoil Barb | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Tinfoil Barb (72–77°F) need different temperatures. |
| Variatus Platy | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Variatus Platy (68–79°F) need different temperatures. |
| Weather Loach | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Weather Loach (64–74°F) need different temperatures. |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow (57–72°F) need different temperatures. |
| Zebra Danio | Avoid | Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) and Zebra Danio (64–77°F) need different temperatures. |
Care notes
Needs: Endemic to alkaline karst lakes; requires elevated carbonate hardness and high dissolved oxygen; tight cover lid
Group: Active open-water schooling fish; maintain 6-8 specimens with mixed sexes for coloration displays
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the middle of the tank.
Common questions
How big does a Boesemani Rainbowfish get?
About 5.2 inches (11 cm SL) as an adult, according to seriouslyfish.com.
What size tank does a Boesemani Rainbowfish need?
At least 48 inches long and about 29 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 55 gallon.
How many Boesemani Rainbowfishs should be kept together?
At least 6. Active open-water schooling fish; maintain 6-8 specimens with mixed sexes for coloration displays
What fish can live with a Boesemani Rainbowfish?
Species that passed every check include Cardinal Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Pearl Gourami, Betta, German Blue Ram, Angelfish.
Gear for a Boesemani Rainbowfish setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 55 gallon (48 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 300 W for 55 gallons, holding 81–86°F.Find on Amazon →LidIt jumps. A full lid keeps it in the tank.Find on Amazon →FoodA quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- seriouslyfish.com /species/melanotaenia-boesemani
- fishbase.se /summary/Melanotaenia-boesemani.html