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| Chilatherina pricei - photo© Gerald Allen |
Allen and Renyaan, 1996
Price's Rainbowfish
Description
Chilatherina pricei was described on the basis of 23 specimens collected between 1991 and 1995 from the Reifafeif River near Warironi Village, Yapen Island, West Papua. It is similar to Chilatherina fasciata of the northern New Guinea mainland, but differs in colouration and has a shorter, blunter snout with the maxillary reaching the level of the eye.
Overall silvery grey to bluish; scales on back sometimes with golden or yellow margins, wider on upper and lower edge of scale and forming a longitudinal yellow stripe between each scale row. Scales on caudal peduncle sometimes entirely yellow. About 5-10 dull grey to dark blue bars on lower half of side between level of pelvic fin base and middle of anal fin; some individuals have 2-6 small dark blue spots on mid-lateral scale row or on scale row immediately above, on rear half of body. Fins mainly translucent bluish, except dorsal and anal fins of mature males often golden yellow.
Distribution
The Reifafeif River habitat is typical of numerous streams on Yapen Island. Yapen is a narrow, elongated island with a central spine of mountains, which rise to a maximum elevation of 1500 m. The mountain range is dissected by numerous independent drainage systems, such as the Reifafeif. The streams rise in the steep mountains and plunge to a relatively narrow (3-5 km) coastal plain, which is where is the home of Chilatherina pricei and other freshwater fishes on Yapen.
Habitat & Ecology
The main channel of the Reifafeif River on the coastal plain is approximately 15-30 m wide and in non-flood periods averages about 1-2 m in depth. Water temperatures and pH in July 1995 ranged between 24-26° Celsius and pH 7.5-8.1. Progressing inland, the river quickly narrows as it approaches the mountains and is characterised by scenic rapids, waterfalls, and deep pools. Chilatherina pricei is abundant in the main channel, usually over rock or boulder bottoms forming mid-water aggregations. Although the river flows through rainforest and gardens, it is generally open to sunlight over the coastal plain. Another rainbowfish, Melanotaenia japenensis, is sometimes found with Chilatherina pricei, but seems to be more common in smaller, shaded tributaries, rather than the main channel.
Chilatherina pricei is a small stream dwelling species, growing to a length of about 7 to 10 cm. Males are easily distinguished from females by their brighter colours and longer and more elongated dorsal fin rays. An egg-scatterer, generally spawning amongst aquatic plants and grasses. Eggs adhere to water plants and hatching occurs after 7-10 days.
Remarks
Named after David Price, in recognition of his keen interest in the natural history of New Guinea. He has lived periodically on Yapen Island with his family over the past decade, making valuable collections of fishes and frogs, including the type specimens of Chilatherina pricei. This species is currently not available in the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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