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| Chilatherina alleni - photo© Gerald Allen |
Price, 1997
Allen's Rainbowfish
Description
Upper half of body brownish anteriorly becoming turquoise posteriorly, each horizontal scale row separated by narrow brown or dull orange stripe. Mid-lateral band dark blue, occupying about two horizontal scales rows, from upper rear corner of eye to base of caudal fin, interrupted on its lower edge by about five, white indentations in area just behind pectoral fin. Lower half of body mainly dusky silver, except for intense white stripe with lower margin of dull orange occupying scale row immediately below mid-lateral band. 4-5 diffused charcoal coloured bars on lower side between level of pelvic fin base and fin origin.
First dorsal fin light blue, second dorsal, and anal fins translucent bluish becoming reddish on margins. Caudal fin translucent reddish. Pectoral and pelvic fins mainly translucent. Females slightly less intense with median fins mainly translucent to bluish without any red. Besides the colour differences noted above, males are typically more deeper bodied than females. In addition, the second dorsal and anal fins short and blunt in females and somewhat elongated and pointed in males. There is a wide variation in colouration of this species depending on habitat. One variation has a red back, red fins and bright yellow stripe in the middle of the body.
Distribution
Aiborei River of the Siriwo drainage, near Nabire, northern West Papua.
Habitat & Ecology
Chilatherina alleni was collected from a tributary of the Aiborei River, which is part of the Siriwo drainage. The river is approximately five meters wide, with a maximum depth of about one meter, although most pools which Chilatherina alleni tend to favour are no more than 70 cm in depth. The substrate consists of gravel and rocks. The water is cold and clear and swiftly descends from the mountains through the village adjacent to the airstrip. In November 1994 water pH was 7.0.
May reach a maximum size of 9 cm, but usually less than 7 cm. Males are usually much larger and deeper bodied than females. Spawning occurs from October to December, with females producing between 100 and 150 eggs. Eggs adhere to water plants and hatching occurs around 7 to 10 days at temperatures between 24 to 28° Celsius.
Remarks
Named alleni in honour of Gerald R. Allen, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to ichthyology and his deep commitment to the study and preservation of the aquatic fauna of New Guinea. This species is not currently available in the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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