| Family: |
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes) |
| Max. size: |
4.84 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.87 cm SL (female) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 5.5 - 7; depth range 0 - 1 m |
| Distribution: |
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 15-17; Vertebrae: 32-35. This species with well-contrasted dark lateral body stripes, is distinguished by the following set of characters: D V-VII, I,7-10 (mode 8); A I,15-17 (mode 16); total procurrent caudal rays 12-16 (mode 13); lateral scales 31-34 (mode 33); cheek scales often 9-12; total gill rakers on first arch 14-18; vertebrae 32-35 (mode 34); body very deep with greatest depth 2.6-3.7 (mean 3.0) in SL, greatest width 1.7-2.9 (mean 2.0) in HL; maxilla relatively long 3.2-4.2 (mean 3.6) in HL; long predorsal distance 1.8-2.2 (mean 2.0) in SL. Colouration: when alive silver to grey body with a series of black lateral stripes; fins with distinct contrasting colour zones, separated by a thick dark submarginal band, most distinct in nuptial males (Ref. 121823). |
| Biology: |
Known from large lateral floodplain systems and small swampy creeks, including dune lakes, with dense cover. Occurs in lily lagoons and is most frequently found in acid waters (pH 5.5-7.0). The largest fish recorded in wild was 4.06 cm SL (4.97 mm TL: AM I.21008-005; 4.84 cm SL from captive stock from Skull Creek, near Bamaga), and the fish attributable to this form (Skull Creek) grow larger in captivity (around 50 mm SL or 60 mm TL: NTM S.18153-001) (Ref. 121823). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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