Pagwi Rainbowfish by Imperial Tropicals
The Pagwi Rainbowfish is a rare and uncommon variety of rainbow fish, recently introduced to the USA fishkeeping community. It features a metallic olive green or sky blue body with a horizontal stripe of bluish-black flanked by 2 to 3 red stripes.
Native to a few small tributaries of the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, these fish are named after the Pagwi Village near the river. Due to their limited natural habitat, they are considered rare and their taxonomic classification is still debated—some experts believe they belong to the Melanotaenia affinis species, while others argue they may represent a distinct species.
The Pagwi Rainbowfish is omnivorous and thrives on a diet of high-quality flake food supplemented with protein sources such as baby brine shrimp or daphnia.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Papua New Guinea (Sepik River tributaries) |
| Color Pattern | Metallic olive green or sky blue with horizontal bluish-black stripe and 2–3 red stripes |
| Feeding Type | Omnivorous |
| Species Classification | Debated: possibly Melanotaenia affinis “Pagwi” or a separate species |
FAQ
What is the origin of the Pagwi Rainbowfish?
The Pagwi Rainbowfish originates from a few small tributaries of the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, near the Pagwi Village, which gives the fish its name.
What does the Pagwi Rainbowfish look like?
It has a metallic olive green or sky blue body with a horizontal stripe of bluish-black flanked by 2 to 3 red stripes.
Is the Pagwi Rainbowfish a recognized species?
The classification is still debated. Some experts consider it a variant of Melanotaenia affinis, while others believe it may be a separate species.
Julian Alsop –
I recently added a few Pagwi Rainbowfish to my community tank. Their vibrant colors are striking, especially the red stripes against the blue body. They seem active and peaceful, and I’ve been feeding them flake food with occasional brine shrimp. They’ve adapted well to the tank conditions.
Felicity Brown –
The fish are beautiful and quite unique. I was initially unsure about their care needs, but following the feeding advice helped. They don’t seem to be aggressive and blend well with other peaceful species in the tank.
Jack Stewart –
After reading about their rare origin, I was excited to get these fish. They look exactly as described—metallic blue with red stripes. I’ve kept them in a 20-gallon tank with gentle water flow and they’re thriving.