matt11390

Are Praecox rainbows and dwarf neon rainbows the same fish?

prairielilly

Yes

matt11390

Thank you. I have seen them in my LFS but they have been labeled as Praecox's. They have been more pale also so I must have been seeing mostly females. I want a small school in my 33 gallon.

prairielilly

LFS's are famous for mislabeling fish; praecox rainbow is the scientific name (Latin?) and dwarf neon rainbow is the common name. Most fish will be pale in the store bc they're stressed. If I remember right the male's fins will be red to purple and the female's fins will be yellow to orange.

From what Blub is stating here, it's likely a good idea to avoid getting them from a chain store atm though, and getting the healthiest ones possible...

serissime

That LFS likely just had a bad tank of them, like everyone else said. I'd try to find them at a different store and see how you fare. If all else fails, there is always forum classified ads for small breeders, or aquabid. That is the most likely bet to get good stock, although also the most expensive with shipping.

Blub

Praecox is also one of the many common names assigned to these fish - they're latin name is melantonia praecox

I don't know about the males fins being purple - but otherwise that's what I've heard as far as sexing goes.

Also, recently I've been to the same LFS (which is not a chain - acctually a brilliant shop and a real role model for the US chains!) recently and saw none with bad looking fins - but be cautious when buying them still.

Lucy

I've moved this question to it's own thread.
Other's may be wondering the same thing and your question could get lost in an older thread with a different title.

serissime

now my reply looks silly! Oh well (don't worry about it )

Lucy

Oh crumb, I'm sorry. You got caught in the seperation of threads.

matt11390

Well, I picked up four males today. I have been watching them for about two weeks in my LFS. As I type this, I am watching the tank and they seem to be adjusting just fine. I acclimated them by drip for an hour. My pH is around 7.6 but they should be fine.

Stupid dwarf gourami is chasing them. My little dwarf. I have never seen any aggression from him. Hopefully this is just the initial territorial thing and he will calm down in a day or two. He isn't being overly ruff just when he feels like it he will chase them. Fortunately he has to chase four rainbows so he can't stress just one.

Let you know how they do. Oh I have a 33g long tank which is shallow and long. It is heavily planted with plenty of hidding places.

prairielilly

I'd agree, probably just the initial territorial thing. Sounds like there's enough room and hiding spots that they'll sort themselves out

Congrats on your beautiful new fish!