Western rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) fish species and information / pictures of Western rainbowfish - Melanotaenia australis

Western rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Melanotaenia australis

Common Name
Western rainbowfish

Biology
Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 16 - 21

Classification

Classified By

Castelnau, 1875

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Silversides (Atheriniformes)

Family

Rainbowfishes, blue eyes (Melanotaeniidae)

Distribution

Region

Oceania

Distribution

Oceania: widespread in northwestern Australia; throughout the Pilbara region of Western Australia between the Ashburton and DeGrey Rivers and in the Kimberley region in the extreme northern part of Western Australia between the Fitzroy River and the Northern Territory border. Also in the northwestern sector of the Timor Sea drainage of the Northern Territory as far as the Adelaide River just east of Darwin.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 6.5 - 8.0 pelagic

Trophic Level

2.88 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

11.0 cm

Common Length

8.0 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

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 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

Not Evaluated