Teleostei (teleosts) >
Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Etymology: Iriatherina: Greek, iris, -idos = iridiscent + Greek, atherina = the Greek name of eperlane, 1770 (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Arthur Werner is a German aquarium fish importer who owns a company called ‘Transfish’. He helped to collect the holotypes of these species. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 26°C - 30°C (Ref. 2060); 5°S - 10°S
Asia and Oceania: central-southern New Guinea and northern Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894); 3.0 cm SL (female); common length : 3.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Inhabits lowland swamps, drainage ditches and streams that have abundant vegetation (Ref. 2847). Occurs in slow-flowing streams, swampy ponds and billabongs with abundant aquatic vegetation. Temperature and pH ranges are 23°-28°C and 5.2-6.6, respectively (Ref. 44894). Most commonly found along the heavily vegetated margins of lily lagoons and small streams. Feeds mostly on diatoms and micro-crustaceans. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539). Well established in the aquarium hobby, but its longetivity is relatively brief, averaging only 2-3 years (Ref. 44894).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00514 - 0.02450), b=3.04 (2.87 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.8 ±0.34 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
