Shows a preference for slow-moving streams, freshwater swamps, lagoons, and billabongs containing clear water and abundant macrophytes. It’s most commonly-found in heavily-vegetated, marginal habitats less than 1.5 m in depth and is frequently associated with floating lily pads. A temperature range of 22 – 32°C and pH of 5.2 – 7.5 have been recorded in field measurements.
This peaceful species of Rainbowfish is a schooling fish that does best in a planted aquarium with plenty of room to swim. If a dark gravel substrate is used, the gravel may aid in intensifying the colors of the Featherfin Rainbow. Males can be a bit aggressive in pairs, but they do a lot better when kept in larger groups.
Males will challenge each other and will flare up their long fins to a striking display. Males will reach a max size of 1.5" inches making them suitable almost any aquarium.
Females and juveniles have been observed to group together in schools while sexually-active males form temporary territories in open water from which they display to other males and ripe females. Spawning takes place during warmer months of the year.