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Crimsonspotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi) — Melanotaeniidae

Crimsonspotted rainbowfish

Melanotaenia duboulayi

The Crimsonspotted rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The crimsonspotted rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers in eastern Australia. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body that gleams greenish to blue with rows of red spots and a forked tail; courting males colour more intensely. As a schooling fish it lives in plant-rich streams and pools and eats small insects, larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crimsonspotted rainbowfish?

The Crimsonspotted rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Crimsonspotted rainbowfish live?

The Crimsonspotted rainbowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Crimsonspotted rainbowfish get?

The Crimsonspotted rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Crimsonspotted rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Crimsonspotted rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodstip-regenboogvis sourced
English name
Crimsonspotted rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Melanotaenia duboulayi
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Crimson-spotted rainbowfish; Duboulay's rainbowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Melanotaenia

More from the family Melanotaeniidae

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