CheckMyFishTank

Red Rainbowfish care

Glossolepis incisus · Freshwater · Beginner level care

Red Rainbowfish, painted illustration

A big, red rainbowfish that shows best with a group.

Smallest tank55 gallons
Adult size6 inches
Temperature72 to 80°F
pH7 to 8
GroupA group of 6 or more
TemperamentPeaceful
SwimsMiddle of the tank
Lives4 to 6 years
Watch for: They need a large tank and good water quality to color up.

Feeding

Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes, a little more for bigger fish. Flakes, small pellets, frozen foods.

Good tank mates

Fish that pass every check with Red Rainbowfish in a 110 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.

Betta (Female)Betta (Male)Black Neon TetraBlack Phantom TetraBlack Ruby BarbBlack Skirt TetraBlue AcaraBlue GouramiBoesemani RainbowfishBrilliant Rasbora

Do not mix with

  • Discus: Discus and Red Rainbowfish need different water temperatures.
  • Convict Cichlid: Convict Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Green Terror: Green Terror is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Red Zebra Cichlid: Red Zebra Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Cobalt Blue Zebra: Cobalt Blue Zebra is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Kenyi Cichlid: Kenyi Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.
  • Demasoni Cichlid: Demasoni Cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful Red Rainbowfish.

Questions

What size tank does a Red Rainbowfish need?

At least 55 gallons for a group of 6. Adults grow to about 6 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.

What temperature does a Red Rainbowfish like?

72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 7 to 8. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.

How many Red Rainbowfish should I keep together?

Keep 6 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.

What do Red Rainbowfish eat?

Flakes, small pellets, frozen foods. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes, a little more for bigger fish.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.