One of the smaller members of the genus Melanotaenia, the Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish is an incredibly vibrant fish, particularly in a planted aquarium, where their colours can best be shown. The body has a neon blue stripe along the upper and lower surfaces, and the fins are bright red in males, yellow in females.
An active, schooling fish, Praecox Rainbowfish should be kept in large groups, with a minimum of six fishes. They are unaggressive, and can be mixed with virtually any other community type fishes. They should not be mixed with large cichlids, or othe fish which may eat them. They make excellent dither or target fish for smaller, moderately aggressive cichlids, such as Pelvicachromis. Their bright colouration can also make them a focal point in a planted aquarium.