Classification / Names
Populärnamn | synonymer | Catalog of Fishes(Släkte, Arter) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
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Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Etymology: Melanotaenia: Greek, melan, -anos = black + latin, taenia = stripe (Ref. 45335); sahulensis: Named for the Pleistocene-era continent Sahul which comprised the land masses of Australia and New Guinea connected under low sea-level and is reflected in the modern distribution of this species. This is a tribute to the Australian and New Guinea Fishes Association (which maintains the journal Fishes of Sahul) that has done much to promote and document native fishes of the region, especially rainbowfishes.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / djupintervall / distribution range
Ekologi
; sötvatten bentopelagisk; pH range: 5.5 - 7.0; djupintervall 0 - 1 m (Ref. 121823). Tropical
Utbredning
Länder | FAO områden | Ekosystem | Förekomster | Prickkarta | Utplanteringar | Faunafri
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Size / Vikt / Age
Könsmognad: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.8 cm SL hane/ej könsbestämd; (Ref. 121823); 3.9 cm SL (female)
Short description
Bestämningsnycklar | Morfologi | Morfometri
Taggstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 8; Mjukstrålar i ryggfenan (totalt) : 7 - 10; Taggstrålar i analfenan: 1; Mjukstrålar i analfenan: 15 - 17; Ryggkotor: 32 - 35. This species with well-contrasted dark lateral body stripes, is distinguished by the following set of characters: D V-VII, I,7-10 (mode 8); A I,15-17 (mode 16); total procurrent caudal rays 12-16 (mode 13); lateral scales 31-34 (mode 33); cheek scales often 9-12; total gill rakers on first arch 14-18; vertebrae 32-35 (mode 34); body very deep with greatest depth 2.6-3.7 (mean 3.0) in SL, greatest width 1.7-2.9 (mean 2.0) in HL; maxilla relatively long 3.2-4.2 (mean 3.6) in HL; long predorsal distance 1.8-2.2 (mean 2.0) in SL. Colouration: when alive silver to grey body with a series of black lateral stripes; fins with distinct contrasting colour zones, separated by a thick dark submarginal band, most distinct in nuptial males (Ref. 121823).
Cross section: compressed.
Known from large lateral floodplain systems and small swampy creeks, including dune lakes, with dense cover. Occurs in lily lagoons and is most frequently found in acid waters (pH 5.5-7.0). The largest fish recorded in wild was 4.06 cm SL (4.97 mm TL: AM I.21008-005; 4.84 cm SL from captive stock from Skull Creek, near Bamaga), and the fish attributable to this form (Skull Creek) grow larger in captivity (around 50 mm SL or 60 mm TL: NTM S.18153-001) (Ref. 121823).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Könsmognad | Reproduktion | Lek | Ägg | Fecundity | Larver
Hammer, M.P., G.R. Allen, K.C. Martin, M. Adams and P.J. Unmack, 2019. Two new species of dwarf rainbowfishes (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae) from northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Zootaxa 4701(3):201-234. (Ref. 121823)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fiskeri: kommersiell; Akvarium: Kommersiell
Verktyg
Special reports
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00514 - 0.02450), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trofisk nivå (Ref.
69278): 2.9 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resiliens (Ref.
120179): Hög, lägsta populationsfördubblingstid mindre än 15 månader (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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