Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Atheriniformes
(Silversides) > Melanotaeniidae
(Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Etymology: Melanotaenia: Greek, melan, -anos = black + latin, taenia = stripe (Ref. 45335). More on author: Ogilby.
Environment / Climate / Range
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: 10 - ?. Tropical; 20°C - 25°C (Ref. 1672); 6°S - 10°S
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Morphology | Morphometrics
Oceania: Papua New Guinea (lower and middle sections of the Fly River westward to the Bensbach River) and northeastern Australia.
Inhabits lowland swamps and small streams, usually in clear, acidic waters with ample cover in the form of log debris or aquatic vegetation. Occurs at temperatures ranging from 24-30° C (Ref. 5259). Found in clear waters of small creeks and Pandanus swamps. pH range is 5.5-7 (Ref. 44894).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Produces 150-200 eggs. Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1991. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Publication, no. 9. 268 p. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea. (Ref. 2847)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 96402)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Threat to humans
Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805
= 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00514 - 0.02450), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref. 93245
Trophic Level (Ref. 69278
): 2.9 ±0.4 se; Based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref. 69278
): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec = 150).
Vulnerability (Ref. 59153
): Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100) .