Arfak rainbowfish (Melanotaenia arfakensis)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia arfakensis Allen, 1990

The Arfak rainbowfish (Melanotaenia arfakensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Asia, known only from tributaries of the Prafi River system near Manokwari, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.

Arfak rainbowfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-16; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 22 - 25

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Melanotaenia arfakensis
Family: Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Order: Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: known only from tributaries of the Prafi River system near Manokwari, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU) (A2ce)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026