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| Pelangia mbutaensis - photo© Gerald Allen |
Allen, 1998
Lake Mbuta Rainbowfish
Description
Body colour yellowish-tan grading to silvery-white on lower half of sides. Larger males have scattered yellow flecks along the middle of the side. Fins are mainly translucent except for dusky grey pigmentation on the first dorsal fin.
Distribution
Lake Mbuta Basin, lying approximately 8 km inland from Etna Bay, West Papua. Lake Mbuta is represented on published maps and charts as a lake, but is actually a swampy basin surrounded by low mountains. The basin, which is roughly circular, is mainly covered by swamp overgrowth with numerous small ponds, creeks, and at least one small river.
Habitat & Ecology
Pelangia mbutaensis was collected from a small clear, but darkly stained freshwater creek, relatively fast flowing through forest that formed a nearly closed canopy. The bottom consisted mainly of mud with occasional rocks and log debris with sparse aquatic vegetation. A water temperature of 25° Celsius and pH of 6.4 were recorded. Co-occurs with Melanotaenia goldiei. Pelangia mbutaensis was relatively common but outnumbered by Melanotaenia goldiei by a 3:1 ratio. May reach a maximum size of 6 cm, but usually less than 5 cm.
Remarks
The species is named pelangia after the Indonesian name for rainbow (pelangi) with reference to the common name for the family Melanotaeniidae. No live specimens have been collected for the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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