Scientific Name
Melanotaenia lacustris

Common Name
Lake Kutubu rainbowfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 17 - 21

Classification

Classified By

Munro, 1964

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Silversides (Atheriniformes)

Family

Rainbowfishes, blue eyes (Melanotaeniidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: known only from Lake Kutubu and its outlet, the Soro River, in the Kikori River drainage of the Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.

Range

6°S - 7°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

24 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 12 benthopelagic

Trophic Level

2.89 s.e. 0.35 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

10.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A1ac)