Melanotaenia ogilbyi

Melanotaenia ogilbyi [Timika] - photo© Gerald Allen

Weber, 1910
Ogilby's Rainbowfish

Species Summary
Melanotaenia ogilbyi have a bluish body colouration on the sides and back, becoming whitish ventrally. Each horizontal scale row on the blue portion of body is separated by narrow dark stripe. Fins are bluish to translucent, anterior edge of first dorsal fin and outer portions of second dorsal and anal fins dusky in males. Pelvis and pectoral fins translucent. May reach a maximum size of 10 cm, but usually less than 8 cm.

Distribution & Habitat
Found in tributaries of the Lorentz River, and streams north of Timika, West Papua. This species was first collected from the Noord-Fluss (North River) by the Dutch explorer Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz during an expedition in 1907. The Noord-Fluss River was later renamed the Lorentz River after Dr. Lorentz. Lorentz participated in three expeditions to Dutch New Guinea, the present-day West Papua (western) portion of the island of New Guinea. The first expedition was in 1903, led by A. Wichmann. Lorentz led expeditions in 1907 and 1909-1910. The Lorentz River is one of the large slow-flowing rivers of the southern lowlands of West Papua, draining into the Arafura Sea near Agats. The river passes through several major wetland habitats including freshwater swamp forest, peat swamp forest and mangrove forest. In 1995 Gerald Allen collected specimens in the vicinity of Timika. Often found with Melanotaenia goldiei and Pseudomugil novaeguineae.

Timika Habitat - photo© Iain Wilson

Remarks
This species is not currently available in the international aquarium hobby. However, they have been maintained locally:

"These are somewhat underrated. Unlike their rainbow brethren they are not that colourful. Yet under the right lighting beautiful and subtle blues and even reds come out. When mature their fins also develop wonderful markings that make them a genuine enhancement to any aquarium. They seem to like similar habitats as Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata. However, I do find them in the smaller creeks with a bit more frequency than Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata. Having said that, in recent years they have become harder to find in this area. In some areas where I used to find them I can no longer find them." ~ Iain Wilson (2005)

Literature
Allen, G.R. (1991) Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.

Weber, M. (1910). Neue Fische aus Niederländisch Süd-Neu-Guinea. Notes from the Leyden Museum 32: 225-240.