Description
Rainbow Darter – Etheostoma caeruleum – to 3.5″ (8.89 cm)
The native range of this species in the wild is the eastern half of the United States and Canada. There, they are most often found in the moving water of rivers and streams over sand and gravel.
In the aquarium, they make very inquisitive inhabitants, often coming to recognize their keeper and “begging” for food when the keeper is around!
Great community fishes, they are not at all aggressive. They can be kept in groups ranging from all males to all females, and any combination in between! They can also be kept peacefully with just about any other fish in the aquarium, including other darters, small catfish, minnows and many, many tropical aquarium fishes!
Care Requirements:
Temperature Tolerance Range: 32-80°F (0-26.7°C.)
Preferred Temperature Range: 72-76°F (22.2-24.4°C) (room temperature water.)
Water Hardness: Medium to Hard.
Type of Tank Setup: Freshwater (cold) or Freshwater (tropical) / Species or Community.
Food: Live or Frozen, and occasionally flake.
Swimming Level: Bottom.
Parasite Pre-Treated?: All wild-collected fish have been parasite pre-treated for internal and external parasites.
Special Requirements: Rainbow Darters need good water circulation / aeration. Also note that these fish feed off the bottom and may feed slowly, so be sure that sufficient food gets to the bottom of the tank.
Notes: Rainbow darters can be inquisitive fish; you may see them come to the front of the tank when you walk by! Also, they like to perch on objects like rocks or logs.
