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| Chilatherina campsi - photo© Neil Armstrong |
(Whitley, 1956)
Highland Rainbowfish
Description
Males are generally olive to mauve on the back with silvery reflections on the scales and whitish on the lower half with a bluish mid-lateral stripe. There use to be two different colour varieties, one with red fins, and one with blue fins. However, the origin of these different varieties is not known to me.
Distribution
The genus Chilatherina is usually only found in the northern areas of New Guinea but Chilatherina campsi have been found in southern stream habitats. This species was first collected in 1954 from a tributary of the Jimmi River, which is part of the Sepik River system. They have been collected from dispersed localities in the Markham, Ramu, Sepik, and Purari river systems. Most collection sites have been in the northern drainage division, but they have also been collected from headwater tributaries in the Purari River system flowing southwards to the Gulf of Papua. It is the only member of the genus so far found on both sides of the Central Dividing Range, which has acted as a most effective geographical barrier to the spread of most rainbowfish species northerly or southerly.
Chilatherina campsi occurs in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea, hence its common name 'Highland Rainbowfish'. The first live specimens to enter the aquarium hobby were collected from the Wahgi River (Purari River system) near Mt Hagan in 1979. Then in the early 1980's, additional stock was collected from the Omsis River near Lae and a small stream on the Highland Highway 105 km northwest of Lae, both foothill tributaries of the Markham River. Others were collected from a tributary of the middle Ramu River in 1988. These collections formed the founding stock of current aquarium populations.
Habitat & Ecology
Within their distribution range Chilatherina campsi are generally found in mountainous or foothill streams. They are most abundant in the smaller flowing tributaries, shallow bodies of water shaded by rainforest trees where they find shelter among aquatic plants, roots, and fallen branches. Although situated in rainforest habitat the streams are relatively open and exposed to sunlight, which is typical of the type of habitat where Chilatherina normally occurs. Depending on the precise location, the water is generally soft, slightly turbid with a temperature range of 21-26° Celsius and pH 7.6-7.8. Other rainbowfishes found cohabiting with Chilatherina campsi include Melanotaenia affinis, Melanotaenia pimaensis, and Glossolepis maculosus.
Chilatherina campsi is a small stream dwelling species, growing to a length of about 7 to 9 cm. Males are usually much larger and deeper bodied than females. Males are easily distinguished from females by their brighter colours and longer and more elongated dorsal fin rays. Females spawn between 100 and 200 eggs. Eggs adhere to water plants and hatching occurs after 7-10 days.
Remarks
Chilatherina campsi have never been widely available and are seldom seen in the hobby these days. Only a handful of enthusiasts are still maintaining them.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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