|
 |
| Melanotaenia pimaensis - photo© Gerald Allen |
Allen, 1981
Pima River Rainbowfish
Description
Body olive to brown dorsally; silvery blue on sides with narrow orange lines between each scale row. Adults have a prominent blackish midlateral band.
Distribution
First discovered in 1980 from the Pima River (Oima River on some maps) at the junction with Tua River, Purari River system, Papua New Guinea. In 1991 further collections were made in the Pio River.
Habitat & Ecology
Collected from small slow-flowing tributaries in shallow depths of less than one metre. The streams were relatively open and exposed to sunlight, although bordered by rainforest in some areas. Temperatures ranged from 19° Celsius in the deeper flowing sections to 25° Celsius in the exposed shallows. A pH of 7.8 was recorded. About half of the specimens were collected from moderately flowing turbid water and the remainder from a crystal-clear backwater with minimal flow. One stream was inhabited by a hardyhead (Craterocephalus) and another rainbowfish, Chilatherina campsi. Melanotaenia pimaensis may reach a maximum size of 9 cm, but usually less than 6 cm.
Remarks
Named "pimaensis" in reference to the Pima River type locality. Live specimens were collected but failed to become established in the aquarium hobby.
© Copyright Adrian R. Tappin
Updated January, 2007.
|
