Melanotaenia pygmaea Allen, 1978
Pygmy rainbowfish
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Max. size:  5.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.5 cm SL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 1 m
Distribution:  Oceania: known only from two small tributaries of the Prince Regent River, West Kimberley district, northwestern Australia.
Diagnosis:   
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 (Ref. 5259, 44894). Inhabits pools and rivulets on sandstone terraces (Ref. 44894). Seen in schools containing up to 50 or more individuals (Ref. 44894). Both sexes can become sexually mature at 2.3 cm SL (Ref. 2906) A popular aquarium species that thrives in captivity (Ref. 44894).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 February 2019 (D2) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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