Australian rainbowfish
Encyclopedia
The Australian rainbowfish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis), known less commonly as the Murray river rainbowfish or the Crimson-spotted rainbowfish, is a species of freshwater rainbowfish
endemic to Australia. They are very colourful, hence their name; males of this species are more colourful than females. Australian rainbowfish are schooling fish and will congregate near logs or riverbanks.
of M. duboulayi
. Authors recognised M. duboulayi and M. fluviatilis either as a single species or separate subspecies, or even as two subspecies of M. splendida. Despite the many similarities between M. duboulayi and M. fluviatilis, they were recognised as separate species in 1986 because of genetic, morphometric, and meristic differences.
s and a pointed anal fin. The caudal (tail) fin is forked shallowly. The fins (excluding the caudal fin) are yellow with dark margins and orange or red markings.
Australian rainbowfish are colourful fish, hence their name. The sides are silvery-brown, and have a green or silver sheen. A blue stripe extends from the snout to the caudal fin. The other fins are yellow and marked with orange or red. In males, several orange stripes run laterally across the posterior half of the body. Females are less intensely coloured, lacking some of the brilliance and red stripes along the caudal peduncle.
and Queensland
, especially in the Murray-Darling basin
. They inhabit rivers, drains, creeks, ponds and reservoirs, and occasionally stagnant water. Australian rainbowfish inhabit temperature ranges between 22 and 25 °C (71.6 and 77 F). As their range is the southernmost of all rainbowfishes, Australian rainbowfish are the only species adapted to low winter temperatures of 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 F).
Rainbowfish
The rainbowfish are a family of small, colourful, freshwater fish that are found in northern and eastern Australia and New Guinea and in the Southeast Asian islands....
endemic to Australia. They are very colourful, hence their name; males of this species are more colourful than females. Australian rainbowfish are schooling fish and will congregate near logs or riverbanks.
Taxonomy
Melanotaenia fluviatilis was originally described by François de Laporte de Castelnau as Aristeus fluviatilis. Melanotaenia fluviatilis was formerly considered a synonymSynonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
of M. duboulayi
Melanotaenia duboulayi
The Crimsonspotted Rainbowfish , known less commonly as the Duboulay's rainbowfish, is a species of freshwater rainbowfish endemic to eastern Australia. M...
. Authors recognised M. duboulayi and M. fluviatilis either as a single species or separate subspecies, or even as two subspecies of M. splendida. Despite the many similarities between M. duboulayi and M. fluviatilis, they were recognised as separate species in 1986 because of genetic, morphometric, and meristic differences.
Description
Australian rainbowfish reach maximum lengths of 11 centimetres (4.3 in), but the males are usually no larger than 8.5 centimetres (3.3 in) while the females usually only grow to 7 centimetres (2.8 in). The body is elongated, with a small head and large eyes. Australian rainbowfish have two dorsal finDorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
s and a pointed anal fin. The caudal (tail) fin is forked shallowly. The fins (excluding the caudal fin) are yellow with dark margins and orange or red markings.
Australian rainbowfish are colourful fish, hence their name. The sides are silvery-brown, and have a green or silver sheen. A blue stripe extends from the snout to the caudal fin. The other fins are yellow and marked with orange or red. In males, several orange stripes run laterally across the posterior half of the body. Females are less intensely coloured, lacking some of the brilliance and red stripes along the caudal peduncle.
Behaviour
Australian rainbowfish are omnivorous. In captivity, their diet comprises all kinds of live foods as well as flake food. They may group around logs and grassy riverbanks. They are peaceful in temperament and tend to school. Breeding is described as "easy" in this species.Distribution and habitat
Australian rainbowfish are freshwater fish native to Australia, occurring in New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, especially in the Murray-Darling basin
Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling basin is a large geographical area in the interior of southeastern Australia, whose name is derived from its two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River. It drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass, and is currently by far the most significant agricultural...
. They inhabit rivers, drains, creeks, ponds and reservoirs, and occasionally stagnant water. Australian rainbowfish inhabit temperature ranges between 22 and 25 °C (71.6 and 77 F). As their range is the southernmost of all rainbowfishes, Australian rainbowfish are the only species adapted to low winter temperatures of 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 F).