Rainbowfish

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Rainbowfish
Red m boesemani.jpg
Boeseman's rainbowfish, Melanotaenia boesemani, male.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
(unranked): Ovalentaria
(unranked): Atherinomorpha
Order: Atheriniformes
Suborder: Atherinoidei
Family: Melanotaeniidae
T. N. Gill, 1894
Subfamilies

See text

Rainbowfishes are small, colourful freshwater fishes belonging to the family Melanotaeniidae, found in northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea (including islands in Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia), Sulawesi and Madagascar.

Contents

The largest rainbowfish genus, Melanotaenia, derives from the ancient Greek melano (black) and taenia (banded). Translated, it means "black-banded", and is a reference to the often striking lateral black bands that run along the bodies of those in the genus Melanotaenia.

Characteristics

The Melanotaeniidae is characterised by having their distal premaxillary teeth enlarged. They have a compressed body with the two dorsal fins being separated but with only a small gap between them. There are 3–7 spines in the first dorsal fin while the second has 6–22 rays, with the first ray being a stout spine in some species, the anal fin has 10–30 rays and, again, the first may be a stout spine in some species. The lateral line is either weakly developed or absent. They have comparatively large scales and these number 28–60 in the lateral series. The pelvic fins are attached to the fish's abdomen by a membrane which runs along the length of the innermost ray and this is a feature which can be used to separate rainbowfishes from silversides, although the membrane is easily torn. The majority of the species in this family demonstrate conspicuous sexual dimorphism, with the males usually being the more colorful sex and also showing an elongated median fin ray. [1]

Most species of rainbowfish are less than 12 cm (4.7 in) in length, with some species measuring less than 6 cm (2.4 in), while one species, Melanotaenia vanheurni, reaches lengths of up to 20 cm (7.9 in). They live in a wide range of freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, and swamps. Although they spawn all year round, they lay a particularly large number of eggs at the start of the local rainy season. The eggs are attached to aquatic vegetation, and hatch seven to 18 days later. Rainbowfish are generalized omnivores, feeding on small crustaceans, insect larvae, and algae. [2]

Melanotaenia, Pseudomugil , and several other genera of rainbowfish include species that regularly appear in the aquarium trade. In the wild, some rainbowfish populations have been severely affected by the aggressive introduced eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), tilapia cichlids, and pollution.

Bedotia sp a Madagascar rainbowfish Bedotia geayi 1.jpg
Bedotia sp a Madagascar rainbowfish

Classification

Melanotaeniidae is divided into a number of subfamilies; these families have been considered by some authorities to separate families, but the 5th Edition of Fishes of the World classifies these as subfamilies of a single family as they form a monophyletic group or clade. They are therefore classified as follows: [1]

Behaviour in captivity

Rainbow fish in aquarium Rainbow fish in aquarium.jpg
Rainbow fish in aquarium

Rainbowfish usually do best with tropical community fish, such as tetras, guppies, and other rainbowfish. However, two males may sometimes fight at breeding season if there are not enough females. Rainbowfish usually eat floating flakes in captivity, because in the wild they will often eat insects floating on the surface.

In a home setting, these fish need well-oxygenated water with a pH level of 6.8 - 7.2, optimal temperatures varying between 72 and 82 °F (22-28 °C), and plenty of aquatic plants to give them hiding places amid their school. If properly cared for, Rainbowfish can live up to 5 years in captivity. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red rainbowfish</span> Species of rainbowfish

The red rainbowfish or salmon-red rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish from Lake Sentani in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Belonging to the family Melanotaeniidae, in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae, the Australian rainbowfishes. It is threatened in its native range, but easily bred in captivity and common in the aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedotiinae</span> Family of fishes

Bedotiinae are a subfamily of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae, commonly known as the Madagascar rainbowfish, Madagascan rainbowfish, or Malagasy rainbowfish due to their endemism to Madagascar. It includes two genera, Bedotia and Rheocles.

Axelrod's rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae. It is found in Papua New Guinea in the Yungkiri stream in the north western part of that nation. Typically its preferred habitat is a narrow stream with gentle moving, cloudy water surrounded by lush rainforest.

<i>Melanotaenia</i> Genus of fishes

Melanotaenia is a genus of rainbowfish from Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and nearby smaller islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Eacham rainbowfish</span> Species of fish

The Lake Eacham rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniidae which was thought to be endemic to Yidyam, Queensland, Australia but has proven to have a wider range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf rainbowfish</span> Species of fish

The dwarf rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae. It is known under a number of common names including diamond rainbowfish, neon rainbowfish, Praecox rainbowfish, dwarf neon rainbowfish, peacock rainbowfish, and Teczanka neonowa. It is endemic to the Mamberamo River basin in West Papua in Indonesia and common in the aquarium trade.

The Popondetta blue-eye or Popondetta rainbowfish, is a species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea where it occurs at three localities around Popondetta in the east of the country. This species inhabits clear, fast flowing freshwater streams, although it has been reported from brackish water. This species was described in 1981 as Popondetta connieae by Gerald R. Allen from a typelocality of Auga Creek, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Popondetta where Allen collected the 200 types along with Brian Parkinson. Allen gave it the specific name connieae to honour his wife, Connie, who normally prepared Allen's manuscripts for publication. This species is sought-after in the aquarium trade and is available in the European and Australian markets.

<i>Pseudomugil</i> Genus of fishes

Pseudomugil is a genus of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae endemic to Australia and New Guinea, where they are found in freshwater rivers and streams and bodies of brackish water.

The honey blue-eye is an endangered species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae. It is endemic to southeastern Queensland, Australia, where it is found in mildly acidic, often tannin-stained, ponds and streams in wallum habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murray River rainbowfish</span> Species of fish

The Murray River rainbowfish, known less commonly as the Australian rainbowfish, is a species of freshwater fish endemic to southeastern Australia. The southernmost species of all rainbowfishes, these fish are very colourful, hence the name; and there is sexual dimorphism with the males being larger and more colourful than females. Murray River rainbowfish are schooling fish and will congregate near logs or riverbanks, and are a popular aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pseudomugilinae</span> Subfamily of fishes

The Pseudomugilidae, the blue-eyes, are a subfamily of atheriniform fish in the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. They inhabit fresh and brackish water in Australia, New Guinea and nearby smaller islands. Blue-eyes are small fish, typically no more than 5 cm (2.0 in) in length. Like the larger Melanotaeniid rainbowfish, they spawn all year round, and attach their eggs to vegetation.

The blue rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae which is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is found mostly in the lower and middle Kikori drainage system.

<i>Melanotaenia duboulayi</i> Species of fish

Melanotaenia duboulayi, the crimson-spotted rainbowfish, less commonly known as the Duboulay's rainbowfish, is a species of freshwater fish endemic to coastal eastern Australia. M. duboulayi has also been kept as an aquarium fish since the early 20th century, and is the original "Australian rainbowfish".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ornate rainbowfish</span> Species of fish

The ornate rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish endemic to an area in eastern Australia, where it is native to coastal regions and sandy offshore islands in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. It is the only known member of its genus. It is a popular aquarium fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-banded rainbowfish</span> Species of fish

The black-banded rainbowfish is a species of rainbowfish belonging to the subfamily Melanotaeniidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Importantly, the species is the type species of the genus Melanotaenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific blue-eye</span> Species of fish

The Pacific blue-eye is a species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae native to eastern Australia. Described by Austrian naturalist Rudolf Kner in 1866, it comprises two subspecies that have been regarded as separate species in the past and may be once again with further study. It is a common fish of rivers and estuaries along the eastern seaboard from Cape York in North Queensland to southern New South Wales, the Burdekin Gap in central-north Queensland dividing the ranges of the two subspecies.

Heiko Bleher is a German researcher, author, photographer, and filmmaker. He is best known in the scientific community for his contribution to the exploration of fresh and brackish water habitats worldwide. He has discovered numerous species of fish and aquatic plant, several of which carry his name or are named in honor of Bleher's family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atherinoidei</span> Suborder of fishes

Atherinoidei is a suborder of the order Atheriniformes comprising six families, with a mainly Old World distribution, although a few species are found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanotaeniinae</span> Subfamily of fishes

Melanotaeniinae the Australian rainbowfishes is a subfamily of the rainbowfishes of the family Melanotaeniidae. They are a group of small, colourful, freshwater fish found in northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, islands in Cenderawasih Bay the Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia and in Madagascar.

<i>Pseudomugil ivantsoffi</i> Species of fish

Pseudomugil ivantsoffi is a species of blue-eye from the subfamily Pseudomugilinae, part of the rainbowfish family Melanotaeniidae. It is endemic to Western Papua in Indonesia. It was described in 1999 by Gerald R. Allen and Samuel J. Renyaan from types collected in southern Irian Jaya at two locations one a tributary of the Kopi River approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) of the Tembagapura Road and from the mile 39 Camp of the Freeport Mining Company in 1995.

References

  1. 1 2 J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). Fishes of the World (5th ed.). Wiley. pp. 358–363. ISBN   978-1-118-34233-6.
  2. Allen, Gerald R. (1998). Paxton, J. R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 155–156. ISBN   0-12-547665-5.
  3. Staff, Culturalist Press (2023-01-25). "The beautiful Australian Rainbowfish: A primer". Technology, gaming, politics, food & more. Retrieved 2023-01-30.