| Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes) |
| 7 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7; dH range: 10 |
| Oceania: northeastern Australia. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 6-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 13-17; Vertebrae: 32-35. This species with well-contrasted dark lateral body stripes, is distinguished by the following set of characters: D V-VI,I,8-10 (mode 9); A I,13-17 (mode 15); procurrent caudal rays 12-15 (mode 13); lateral line scales 30-33 (mode 32); cheek scales often 9-12; total gill rakers on first arch 13-18 (usually 14-16); vertebrae 32-35 (mode 33); body is moderately deep with greatest depth 2.8-3.7 (mean 3.3) in SL and greatest width 1.8-3.1 (mean 2.2) in HL; maxilla is relatively long 3.0-3.8 (mean 3.4) in HL; long predorsal distance 1.9-2.3 (mean 2.1) in SL. Colouration: when alive bronze to brown body lighter on ventral half with a series of dark brown lateral stripes; fins are orange to rich red especially in nuptial males, sometimes with lines of spots or a horizontal line near base but never as a thick submarginal band (Ref. 121823). |
| 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). Commonly co-occurs with Melanotaenia splendida and is often found in association with other wetland fish species particularly Pseudomugil gertrudae and Oxyeleotris nullipora (Ref. 121823), |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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