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| Melanotaenia rubrostriata - photo© Günther Schmida |
(Ramsay and Ogilby, 1886)
Red-striped Rainbowfish
Description
The basic body colouration is overall pale bluish-green, grading to white on the lower sides. Each horizontal scale row is separated by a narrow orange to pink stripe. The membranes between the rays of the second dorsal and anal fin are red. Not easily distinguished from Melanotaenia splendida inornata. Principal differences are body depth, fin counts, and colour pattern, which is variable depending on location and water conditions.
Distribution
Occurs south of the Central Dividing Range between the Fly River in Papua New Guinea to Etna Bay in West Papua. Also found on the Aru Islands.
Habitat & Ecology
Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata inhabit river tributaries along lowland coastal plains. They are usually found around sub-surface vegetation, submerged logs, or branches. Temperature and pH recorded in their natural habitats are 25-30° Celsius and 5.6-7.4. May reach a maximum size of 15 cm, but usually less than 12 cm, with a body depth of 6-8 cm. Males are more brightly coloured, larger, and much deeper bodied than females. Spawning usually occurs from October to December, with females producing between 100 and 200 eggs, spawning a number of times daily for several days. Eggs adhere to fine-leaved plants or among the roots of floating vegetation with hatching occurring after 6-7 days.
Remarks
Initially collected during the 1880s from the Strickland River, Papua New Guinea. Live specimens entered the Australian aquarium hobby in 1978.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
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