Papuan rainbowfish (Melanotaenia papuae)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia papuae Allen, 1981

The Papuan rainbowfish (Melanotaenia papuae) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–32°C (72–90°F). Native range: Oceania, occurs in numerous streams within a 35 km radius of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Papuan rainbowfish care at a glance

Temperature
22–32°C (72–90°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 14 - 18

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Melanotaenia papuae
Family
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Order
Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
6.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.2 - 7.8; dH range: 10 - ? benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Oceania: occurs in numerous streams within a 35 km radius of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Lower Risk: least concern (LR/lc)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

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