Pygmy rainbowfish (Melanotaenia pygmaea)

Scientific name: Melanotaenia pygmaea Allen, 1978

Pygmy rainbowfish (Melanotaenia pygmaea)

The Pygmy rainbowfish (Melanotaenia pygmaea) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae. Native range: Oceania, known only from two small tributaries of the Prince Regent River, West Kimberley district, northwestern Australia.

Biology

Occurs in fast flowing streams interrupted by frequent cascades or rapids. Usually inhabits the deeper pools, often at the base of waterfalls with very clear water and a primarily solid rock bottom with little or no vegetative cover. Inhabits pools and rivulets on sandstone terraces. Seen in schools containing up to 50 or more individuals. Both sexes can become sexually mature at 2.3 cm SL A popular aquarium species that thrives in captivity.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Melanotaenia pygmaea
Family
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Order
Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
5.5
Common length
4.0
Depth range
0–1 m (0–3 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 1 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Oceania: known only from two small tributaries of the Prince Regent River, West Kimberley district, northwestern Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Lower Risk: near threatened (LR/nt)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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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