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| Glossolepis leggetti - photo© Gerald Allen |
Allen and Renyaan, 1998
Leggett's Rainbowfish
Description
Body colouration on males iridescent green on back, dull orange to whitish on breast and lower side. A diffused blue midlateral band, its colouration most intense posteriorly and bordered immediately below by narrower stripe of light metallic blue. Sides with scattered dark blur flecks or narrow bars. Fins generally translucent although dorsal and anal may be bluish, particularly in adult males. Females are the same colour, but less ornate with a narrow midlateral stripe and with the dark flecks and narrow bars on the side considerably reduced.
Distribution
Known only from the Wapoga River system of northern West Papua.
Habitat & Ecology
Glossolepis leggetti is found in relatively clear, quiet pools of the Tiawiwa River, a major tributary of the Wapoga, in the vicinity of Siewa Airstrip. Found together in the Tiawiwa River with Chilatherina alleni and Melanotaenia rubripinnis, but unlike these species which are most abundant in shallow relatively rapid sections, it favours deeper pools, with minimal flow. May reach a maximum size of 10 cm, but usually less than 8 cm SL.
Remarks
This species is named leggetti in honour of Ray Leggett of Brisbane, Queensland in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of freshwater fishes of the Australian-New Guinea region. This species is not currently available in the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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