View source for Boeseman's rainbowfish

{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Boeseman's rainbowfish
| image = Sunny1.jpg
| image_caption = Male individual 
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 14 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Allen, G.R. |author2=Kadarusman |date=2020 |title=''Melanotaenia boesemani'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T13058A147682045 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T13058A147682045.en |access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref>
| taxon = Melanotaenia boesemani
| authority = [[Gerald R. Allen|G. R. Allen]] & [[Norbert J. Cross|N. J. Cross]], 1980
| synonyms = 
}}

'''Boeseman's rainbowfish''' ('''''Melanotaenia boesemani'''''), also known as the '''Boesemani rainbowfish''', is a [[species]] of [[fish]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Melanotaeniidae]].

==Geographic range==
''M. boesemani'' is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the [[Ayamaru Lakes]] and their tributaries in a mountainous region of the [[Bird's Head Peninsula]], [[West Papua (region)|West Papua]], [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Melanotaenia boesemani'' (Boeseman's rainbowfish)|url=http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/melanotaenia-boesemani/|website=Seriously Fish|accessdate=2016-01-07|language=en-us}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''boesemani'', is in honour of Dutch ichthyologist [[Marinus Boeseman]], the collector of the [[Type (biology)|type]] specimens.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Melanotaenia boesemani ''|url=http://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Boesemani.htm|website=rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au|accessdate=2016-01-07}}</ref>

==In captivity==
[[File:Bosemani rainow.jpg|thumb|A Boesemani rainbowfish in an aquarium]]
''M. boesemani'' is also available in the aquarium hobby, where it is prized for its excellent colours and peaceful demeanor.  The colour pattern is completely different from most other forms of rainbowfish, as it has a half orange-red rear and a bluish-grey or purple front which in some specimens is almost defined perfectly. ''M.&nbsp;boesemani'' will often grow to lengths that exceed {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} if given the right food and water conditions. Like most rainbowfish they are capable of adjusting their color intensity. Their color intensity may be a sign of mood or health. Generally more intense is seen during night time. They are kept best in groups (with as much as or more females than males) due to their community and friendly nature and can be easily kept with many different species of fish, including some [[tetra]]s. They are a relatively hardy fish that prefer weakly alkaline pH conditions. Good tank mates include other rainbowfish, barbs, tetras, corydoras, snails,  gouramis, danios, discus, guppies, swordtails, and loaches. However, smaller freshwater shrimps in the genera ''[[Caridina]]'' and ''[[Neocaridina]]'' may be viewed as prey. Ghost shrimp, vampire shrimp, amano shrimp and bamboo shrimp can live with them. Always adult shrimps are added first then baby rainbowfish. Care must be taken to give hiding places for shrimp and open spaces for rainbowfish.

Generally they are very hardy fish but they are prone to [[columnaris]].

=== Diet ===
These omnivores are not picky eaters and will happily eat anything you drop in the tank, but they do prefer meatier foods if given the choice. For optimal health, provide a variety of dry, frozen, and live foods to ensure they get all the essential nutrients and vitamins they need. Rainbowfish have smaller mouths in proportion to their bodies, so feed them appropriate-sized foods—such as krill flakes, Vibra Bites, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp.

==== Lifespan ====
Depending on the water temperature in which they are kept, they can live for about 5–8 years on average, although some hobbyists have reportedly kept them alive for up to 13–15 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Care Guide for Boesemani Rainbowfish — Tank Setup, Breeding, and More |url=https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/boesemani-rainbowfish |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Aquarium Co-Op |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Commons}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q833254}}

[[Category:Melanotaenia|boeseman's rainbowfish]]
[[Category:Freshwater fish of Western New Guinea]]
[[Category:Fishkeeping]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Gerald R. Allen]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Norbert J. Cross]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1980]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]