Description

Peaceful but unsuitable for the general community aquarium since it’s easily outcompeted and quite timid.

Also known as The spotted blue-eyed rainbowfish, the Gertrude's spotted rainbowfish, is a small species of rainbowfish that has a unique fin appearance with black spots and vivid yellow tint. As its name implies, their eyes are ringed with blue, giving them a very vibrant appearance. This species of rainbowfish is very small, so they do best in schooling groups of 6 or more fish.

It’s best maintained alone or alongside fishes of comparable size, disposition, and requirements and freshwater shrimp of the genera Caridina and Neocaridina but in all cases be sure to research your choices thoroughly prior to purchase.

P. gertrudae is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group of at least 8-10 specimens, ideally more. Maintaining it in such numbers will not only make the fish less nervous but result in a more effective, natural-looking display.

Males will also display their best colours and some fascinating behaviour as they compete with one other for female attention.Best kept in a densely-planted tank and an excellent choice for the carefully-aquascaped set-up.

The addition of some floating plants and driftwood roots or branches to diffuse the light entering the tank also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

If you wish to raise fry alongside the adults the addition of fine-leaved aquatic moss such as a Taxiphylum sp. is advisable (see ‘Reproduction’).

The water should be well-oxygenated and a degree of flow is advisable. Do not add this fish to a biologically immature aquarium as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.