Melanotaenia splendida tatei (Zietz 1896)
desert rainbowfish

MELANOTAENIIDAE, Rainbowfishes


image 25KK jpeg Male, 60mm (2.4in) TL from the Finke River, west of Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Peter Unmack photo.

Size

To 80mm (3.2in) TL.

Conservation Status

Not listed.

Distribution & Abundance

Widespread and abundant in all the larger rivers in Central Australia.

Habitat & Ecology

It is found in most major rivers and their tributaries. They are probably omnivorous. Desert rainbowfish have broad temperature tolerances. I have had live specimens show no obvious signs of stress at 6°C (42°F). They probably survive temperatures up to around 37°C (98°F).

Reproduction

In aquaria, the "splendida" rainbowfish group (M. splendida ssp.) generally lay 50-100 eggs each day whenever temperatures are adequate, ie generally >20-24°C (68-75°F). All life history information available for this species is based on other subspecies from outside central Australia.

Threats

None specifically.

Conservation Action

Not relevant.

Conservation Recommendations

Undertake studies into the basic biology and ecology.

Important References

GO TO:
Australian Desert Fishes--Home | Species Index
Desert Fishes Council--Home | Species Index
Texas Natural History Collections--FISH-- Home | Species Index
Comments or questions on the Australian desert fishes pages are welcome

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The Australian desert fishes pages are compiled and maintained by Peter J. Unmack
Many thanks to Karen Randall for her excellent drawing of a desert goby that is
the background to these pages. Please don't reuse this image without her permission.

This file was last modified:  18 March 2003