Teleostei (teleosts) >
Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Etymology: Melanotaenia: Greek, melan, -anos = black + latin, taenia = stripe (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19. Tropical; 25°C - 30°C (Ref. 2060)
Oceania: Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 13.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); common length : 8.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Lives mainly in small streams and waterholes in clear to moderately turbid water. Occurs over rocky or gravel bottoms or in well-vegetated areas, frequently around submerged logs and branches. Occurs at temperature and pH ranging from 22°-30° C and 5.2-7.0 respectively. Inhabits small creeks and waterholes in semi-rainforest or open grassland areas. Occasionally abundant in partly stagnant waterholes with leaf litter bottoms during the dry season. Species is easy to maintain and thrives in captivity (Ref. 44894).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 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), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.9 ±0.3 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).