Melanotaenia praecox (Weber & de Beaufort, 1922)
Dwarf rainbowfish
Melanotaenia praecox
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Max. size:  5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mamberamo River in northern Irian Jaya, Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-14; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-21. Develops a very deep body, particularly in males, at a remarkably small size (3.0-3.5 cm SL).
Biology:  Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm (Ref. 51539).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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