From the category archives:

Rainbow fish

Melanotaenia ogilbyi (Ogilby’s Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia ogilbyi is known only from seven specimens collected from the Lorentz River in Western New Guinea in 1907.  Typically the Ogilby’s Rainbowfish lives in streams and swampy environments.
PH: Unknown
Temperature: Unknown
Hardness: Unknown
Description: The live colouration of Ogilby’s Rainbowfish is relatively unknown.  It is believed to be similar to Melanotaenia papuae and Melanotaenia splendida [...]

Tagged as: Melanotaenia ogilbyi, Ogilby’s Rainbowfish, Ogilbys Rainbow fish

Melanotaenia oktediensis (Oktedi Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia oktediensis is currently listed as vulnerable, due to water pollution caused by the Ok Tedi copper mine. Oktedi Rainbowfish is only present in the Ok Tedi River, and respective tributaries, in the Upper Fly River System.  Their habitat consists of dense rainforest vegetation, cool, clear mountain waters and rocky bottoms.
PH: 7.0 – 9.0
Temperature: [...]

Tagged as: Melanotaenia oktediensis, Oktedi Rainbow fish, Oktedi Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia parva (Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Lake Kuromai Rainbowfish is known only from Lake Kuromai on the Vogelkop Peninsula of Western New Guinea, Indonesia.  As they are lake dwellers, they prefer low currents and clear, clean water.
PH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 24°C -26°C (75 – 79F)
Hardness: 12 – 16dH
Description: In usual Rainbowfish form, the males are far more attractive than [...]

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Melanotaenia praecox (Dwarf Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia praecox was initially found in the tributaries of the Mamberamo and Wapoga River systems in West Papua.  They have since been found in the small creeks and swampy waterways near Siewa in the Tirawiwa River system, a remote area of northern West Papua.
PH: 6.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C -28°C (72 – 79F)
Hardness: 5 [...]

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Pseudomugil furcatus (Forktail Rainbowfish / Blue Eye Rainbowfish)

Family: Pseudomugilidae
Distribution: The Forktail Rainbowfish is found in the heavily vegetated, fast flowing jungle streams of Papua New Guinea and Indo-Pacific regions.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75 – 82F)
Hardness: 15 – 30dH.
Description: A truly vibrant Rainbowfish, the Forktail or Blue Eye is a sight to behold.  With black and bright yellow tipped fins [...]

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Melanotaenia sexlineata (Fly River Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Found in south western Papua New Guinea, the Fly River Rainbowfish lives in an area that has not been properly surveyed – this doesn’t allow for the full knowledge of its actual geographic distribution. From what we know, the Fly River Rainbowfish is found in the small, clear, lowland rainforest creeks near Kiunga.
PH: [...]

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Melanotaenia splendida tatei (Desert Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Desert Rainbowfish is found in all the larger rivers systems of arid Central Australia, New South Wales, Queenland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, specifically the Paroo, Warrego and upper Darling rivers.  The Desert Rainbowfish is chiefly an inhabitant of desert streams and reservoirs but has also been located in rocky gorges.
PH: [...]

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Melanotaenia splendida splendida (Eastern Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The hardy Eastern Rainbowfish is found in almost every freshwater habitat, with a slight preference for clear, slow moving streams.  Geographically, this native Queenslander is found in Rockhampton in Central Queensland, east of the Great Dividing Range, and also along the coast of Queensland from Gladstone to the Normanby River system in Cape [...]

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Melanotaenia splendida inornata (Chequered Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia splendida inornata hail from the floodplain rivers and clear streams near the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the northernmost parts of Northern Queensland and Northern Territory.  They are abundant in these areas.
PH: At least 6.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C -33°C (75 – 91F)
Hardness: 8 -10 dH
Description: Reaching a length of up to 15cm [...]

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Melanotaenia solata (Northern Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia solata occurs in the north-western part of the Northern Territory, from the Fitzroy River to the Adelaide River, east of Darwin.  They are also found on the large islands near the Gulf of Carpentaria, including Groote Eyland and Bickerton Island, and in Alligator River in Southern Arnhem Land, Australia.  Typically, the Northern [...]

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Melanotaenia lakamora (Lakamora Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Lakamora Rainbowfish are found in Lake Lakamora and Lake Aiwaso of the Triton Lakes in Western New Guinea.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 27°C (75 – 81F)
Hardness: 6 – 14dH
Description: Melanotaenia lakamora grow up to 5.5cm and exhibit a beautiful silver reflective body with dark mid-lateral stripes and orange-yellow fins and tail.  The [...]

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Melanotaenia lacustris (Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish / Lacustris Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: A native of Central Papua New Guinea, Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish is yet another member of the Rainbowfish family who is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.  Decreasing populations caused by overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution now leaves Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish in a precarious environmental position.
Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish can [...]

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Melanotaenia kamaka (Kamaka Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Kamaka Rainbowfish are localised to the three Triton Lakes; Lake Kamakawaiar, Lakamora and Aiwaso, which are situated inland from Triton Bay, West Papua.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 27°C (75 – 81F)
Hardness: 6 – 14dH
Description: Melanotaenia kamaka display a flecked silver-blue colouration and blue-black posterior mid-lateral stripes.  The fins are often blue to [...]

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Melanotaenia irianjaya (Irian Jaya Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Endemic to the southernmost parts of the Vogelkop Peninsula’s river systems, the Irian Jaya Rainbowfish can be found thriving in rainforest streams.  Aquatic plants are rare in these areas and the Irian Jaya Rainbowfish often finds shelter near submerged trees.
PH: 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 27°C (72 – 81F)
Hardness: 9 – 16dH
Description: With [...]

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Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi Lake (Terbera Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Endemic to Lake Terbera in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, the Lake Terbera Rainbowfish prefer clear, mountainous streams that are abundant in aquatic vegetation.
PH: 7.0 -8.0
Temperature: 20°C -26°C (68 – 79F)
Hardness: 12 – 16dH
Description: With a bright yellow body and blue-black mid lateral stripes, the Lake Terbera Rainbowfish will be sparkle [...]

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Melanotaenia goldei (Gold-Line Rainbowfish / Goldie River Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Goldie River Rainbowfish has been found in a wide range of habitats, including swamps, creeks, large rivers and deep pools behind fallen trees.  Specifically, Melanotaenia goldiei has been identified in the Goldie River in Southern New Guinea, and in the Laloki and Brown rivers, and their respective tributaries.  They are very abundant [...]

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Melanotaenia fluviatilis (Murray River Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: As you would expect, Melanotaenia fluviatilis is endemic to the Murray-Darling River systems in Australia.  You will find them in still or slow-moving rivers, billabongs and creeks, drains, ponds, and reservoirs.
PH: 7.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 25°C (72 – 77F)
Hardness: 12 – 16dH
Description: With main body colourations of olive to brown with possible [...]

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Melanotaenia exquisita (Exquisite Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The small, clear, fast flowing streams of Australia’s Northern Territory is home to the majority of the Exquisite Rainbowfish population.  Additionally, Melanotaenia exquisita can also be found in Western Australia’s King George River and in Lake Malkyullumbo in Northern Australia.  It is not unusual for this adorable Australian to be found swimming around [...]

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Melanotaenia eachamensis (Lake Eacham Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Thought to be extinct in 1987, the Lake Eacham Rainbowfish is found in the north-eastern corner of Australia. Their natural habitats are isolated crater lakes and rainforest creeks abundant in dense vegetation and fallen logs.  While they are now extinct from Lake Eacham, they can be found in small populations in Dirran Creek [...]

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Melanotaenia duboulayi (Duboulay’s Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Duboulay’s Rainbowfish are found abundantly throughout the eastern coastal drainage river systems of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, specifically from Mullet Creek right through to Hastings River.  Small colonies have also been found on Fraser Island off the Queensland coast in Australia.  Their natural habitat includes freshwater rivers, streams, reservoirs, swamps, [...]

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Melanotaenia mubiensis (Mubi Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia mubiensis are Papua New Guinea natives, specifically from a small 20km area of the Kikori river drainage system, a mountain tribuitary of the Mubi River.
PH: Unknown
Temperature: Unknown
Hardness: Unknown
Description: Melanotaenia mubiensis exhibit blue-green colours on the upper part of the head and back, a gold sheen on their anterior section and a white [...]

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Melanotaenia monticola (Mountain Rainbowfish)

Mountain Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia monticola

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Unlike other Rainbowfish, the Mountain Rainbowfish habitat includes high altitude tributuitars with fast-flowing waterways practically void of aquatic vegetation.  Specifically it lives in the upper Purari and Kikori river systems in Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands.
PH: 7.5– 8.0
Temperature: 17°C – 25°C (63 – 77F)
Hardness: 16dH
Description: With blue-grey to green [...]

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Melanotaenia misoolensis (Misool Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Misool Rainbowfish is currently only known from the clear, moderately fast-flowing jungle streams on Misool Island, west of the Vogelkop Peninsula in Indonesia.  They were introduced to the aquarium hobby in 2001.
PH: 6.0 – 8.5
Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72 – 82F)
Hardness: 9 – 16dH
Description: At a maximum of 6cm in the hobby, [...]

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Melanotaenia maylandi (Mayland’s Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Mayland’s Rainbowfish lives in a limited region in the Mamberamo area of Western New Guinea.  Found upstream from Lake Holmes, it prefers narrow creeks with dense shadowy vegetation and rocky bottoms.
PH: 7.0 -7.5
Temperature: 26°C (79F)
Hardness: 10gH
Description:  Adult male Mayland’s Rainbowfish are olive green to brown on the upper body and silver-white on the [...]

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Melanotaenia maccullochi (MacCulloch’s Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Typically found in swamps and small, clear creeks, MacCulloch’s Rainbowfish live in a vast region that encompasses northern Australia to south-western Papua New Guinea.  It can be found from Fly River to Bensbach River in Papua New Guinea, and the Queensland coastal plains, in the McIvor River and in the rainforest creeks of [...]

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Melanotaenia corona (Corona Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: After being first collected in 1911, this species of Melanotaeniidae are still awaiting rediscovery.  Only two male specimens were originally found in the upper Sermowai River on the north coast of West Papua, about 75 kilometres west of Jayapura.
PH: Unknown – varies significantly according to seasons
Temperature: 18°C -28°C (64– 82F)
Hardness: Unknown – varies [...]

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Melanotaenia affinis (New Guinea Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia affinis are found across Northern New Guinea from Oomsis River to West Papua.  Commonly found in the Markham, Ramu and Sepik rivers, their preferred habitat includes clear rainforest streams, swamps, pools and lagoons abundant in vegetation and submerged logs.
PH: 6.0 – 7.0
Temperature: 21°C -27°C (70 – 80F)
Hardness: 3 – 16dH
Description: The attractive [...]

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Marosatherina ladigesi (Celebes Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The sensitive Celebes Rainbowfish is endemic to Sulawesi (Celebes), an Indonesian island located west of Borneo and east of Papua New Guinea.  It is specifically found in the fresh slow-moving waters in the foothills of this area.  Additionally, Marosatherian ladigesi has also be found in the Philippines.  They are listed as vulnerable on [...]

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Glossolepis wanamensis (Lake Wanam Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Another of the critically endangered Rainbowfish, The Lake Wanam Rainbowfish is found in Lake Wanam, a small lake located above the Markham River Valley in Eastern Papua New Guinea.  Its preferred habitat includes clear, shallow waters that are abundant in plant life and sunlight.
PH: 7.5 -8.0
Temperature: 26°C -30°C (79 – 86F)
Hardness: 10-18gH
Description: Graduating [...]

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Glossolepis leggetti (Leggett’s Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Glossolepis leggetti distribution is limited.  It has only been found in the deep, clear still pools of the Tiawiwa River, a tributary of the Wapoga River System, in northern West Papua.
PH: Unknown
Temperature: Unknown
Hardness: Unknown
Description: Glossolepis leggetti males are typically stunning in colouration; iridescent green backs, orange to white colouration on breast and [...]

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Chilatherina lorentzii (Lorentz Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The entire geographic distribution of Lorentz’s Rainbowfish is still yet undetermined.  For now, we know that it lives in the Sermoiwai and Tawarin river systems of West Papua, and from Puive Creek in Papua New Guinea.  Current research shows that their preferred habitat includes shadowed, slow-flowing waterways surrounded by dense rainforest.
PH: 7.5 -8.0
Temperature: [...]

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Chilatherina campsi (Highlands Rainbowfish)

Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Found in the northern and southern drainage systems of the Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Upper Purari rivers of Papua New Guinea, in areas up to 1525 metres (5000 feet) above sea level, the Highlands Rainbowfish prefer deep, clear backwater streams and pools.
PH: 7.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 26°C (72 – 79F)
Hardness: 10-17dH
Description: With [...]

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Melanotaenia caerulea (Blue Rainbowfish)

Blue Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia caerulea
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The iridescent Blue Rainbowfish are endemic to the small tributary rainforest streams of the lower and middle Kikori drainage system in Papua New Guinea. They have also been found a nearby unique tidal creek-fed pond which is exposed to direct sunlight.
PH: 7.5 – 8
Temperature: 25°C -28°C (77 – 82F)
Hardness: Approx 6-12gDH [...]

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Melanotaenia boesemani (Boeseman’s Rainbowfish)

Boeseman’s Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Boeseman’s Rainbowfish live in the complex Ajamaru Lakes region, and surrounding feeder streams of Lake Hain and Lake Aitinjo, in the western part of Western New Guinea. Typically, its natural environment is clear, shallow, swampy waterway dense with thriving vegetation.
PH: At least 7.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 25°C -30°C (77 – 86F)
Hardness: Approx [...]

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Chilatherina bulolo (Bulolo Rainbowfish)

Bulolo Rainbowfish
Chilatherina bulolo
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Bulolo Rainbowfish are found in the fast flowing, rapid water of the mountain streams in the Markham and Ramu river systems of north-eastern Papua New Guinea. It was first collected in 1934 and then not again until 1978. There is insufficient data to suggest the current levels of population of this [...]

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Chilatherina bleheri (Bleher’s Rainbowfish)

Bleher’s Rainbowfish
Chilatherina bleheri
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Bleher’s rainbowfish is found in both Australia’s Lake Holmes and the lower Mamberamo system of West Papua. With a preference for shallow, abundant plant life and rocky streams, this stunning rainbowfish lives in mountainous regions surrounded by jungle.
PH: 7 – 8
Temperature: 25°C -28°C (77 – 82F)
Hardness: 5-15gDH
Description: Chilatherina bleheri is definitely [...]

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Rhadinocentrus rhombosomoides (Cairns Rainbowfish)

Cairns Rainbowfish
Rhadinocentrus rhombosomoides/Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides.
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Cairns Rainbowfish live in the freshwater rivers between Cairns and Innisfail in Queensland, Australia. More specifically, the shallow, rocky creeks and small clear streams that drain into the Bellenden Ker range are home to this rare species. This species are now facing extinction and are on DPI&F Protected Species List [...]

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Melanotaenia trifasciata (Banded Rainbowfish)

Banded Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia trifasciata
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Banded Rainbowfish can only be found in Australia’s Northern Territory and Cape York Peninsula, specifically Melville Island, Mary River, Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt in Northern Territory and north of Archer River the McIvor River in Cape York. The Banded Rainbowfish is found in small creeks and streams with clear water with [...]

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Melanotaenia nigrans (Black Banded Rainbowfish)

Black Banded Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia nigrans
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Black-banded Rainbowfish can be found in rainforest streams, lily lagoons and small estuaries that flow through the swampy environments of the northern parts of Australia. While it is known that the Black-banded Rainbowfish prefers habitat located near the ocean, they have been collected 130km (80 miles) from the [...]

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Melanotaenia batanta (Batanta rainbowfish)

Batanta rainbowfish
Melanotaenia batanta
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Known only from Batanta Island in the Raja Ampat Islands of West Papua, Melanotaenia batanta were collected from Warmon Creek on the northern tip of the island. Batanta rainbowfish were only found in a 400 metre section of clear, moderately fast-flowing brackish mangrove habitat.
PH: 7 to 9, although naturally [...]

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Melanotaenia australis (Australian Rainbowfish)

Western rainbowfish/Australian rainbowfish
Melanotaenia australis
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Found in the Kimberly and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and both the eastern and western parts of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australian rainbowfish live in lakes, pools in drying waterways, lagoons, marshlands, creeks and rivers. Melanotaenia australis is considered to be one of the most abundant species [...]

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Melanotaenia arfakensis (Arfak’s Rainbowfish)

Arfak’s Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia arfakensis
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: Melanotaenia arfakensis live primarily in the streams, but also in the lagoons and swamps, on the Prafi Plains of Western New Guinea. The Arfak Rainbowfish preferred habitat includes tributaries rich in soil and sediment deposits, submerged logs, branches, and sub-surface vegetation.
Now listed as “Vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List of [...]

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Kiunga ballochi (Balloch’s Rainbowfish or Glass Blue-Eye)

Balloch’s rainbowfish or Glass Blue-Eye
Kiunga ballochi
Family: Pseudomugilidae
Distribution: Gerald Allen and John Paska first found Kiunga ballochi in 1982. Balloch’s Rainbowfish, or the Glass Blue-Eye as it is sometimes known, was collected from the small, shallow, clear tributary streams of the Ok Smak River, about 40 kilometres north of Kiunga, Papua New Guinea. At this stage, [...]

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Chilatherina fasciata (Barred rainbowfish)

Barred rainbowfish
Chilatherina fasciata
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: The Barred Rainbowfish lives in northern New Guinea, including the river systems of Markham, Ramu, Sepik and Mamberamo in both the lowlands and highlands. The preferred habitat of the Barred Rainbowfish is a clear rainforest stream consisting of gravel or sand and littered with leaves and rainforest debris. They have [...]

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Chilatherina axelrodi (Axelrod’s Rainbowfish)

Axelrod’s Rainbowfish
Chilatherina axelrodi
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution:Chilatherina axelrodi are only found in the Yungkiri stream in the north western part of Papua New Guinea. Typically its preferred habitat is a narrow stream with gentle moving, cloudy water surrounded by lush rainforest.
PH: 7.5-7.8
Temperature: 26°C – 30°C (78-81F)
Hardness: Up 15gDH.
Description:Male Chilatherian axelrodi can reach a length of approximately [...]

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Melanotaenia ajamaruensis (Ajamaru Lakes Rainbowfish

Ajamaru lakes Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia ajamaruensis
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Distribution: First collected in 1955 by Dr. M. Boeseman, former Curator of Fishes of the Rijksmuseum in Leiden, the Ajamaru lakes Rainbowfish is endemic to the Ajamaru Lakes area near the centre of the Vogelkop Peninsula in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Despite an extensive scientific expedition by Heiko Blehler to the [...]

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Rainbowfish Species

Rainbowfish (Rainbowfishes) are a small colourful group of fish which predominantly are found in Australia and New Guinea, many of the species grow no bigger than 6in (15cm).

Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides (Cairns rainbowfish)
Chilatherina axelrodi (Axelrod’s rainbowfish)
Chilatherina bleheri (Bleher’s rainbowfish)
Chilatherina bulolo (Bulolo rainbowfish)
Chilatherina campsi (Highlands rainbowfish)
Chilatherina crassispinosa (Silver rainbowfish)
Chilatherina fasciata (Barred rainbowfish)
Chilatherina lorentzii (Lorentz’ rainbowfish)
Chilatherina sentaniensis [...]

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