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Lake Tebera rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi) — Melanotaeniidae

Lake Tebera rainbowfish

Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi

The Lake Tebera rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Lake Tebera rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) endemic to Lake Tebera in Papua New Guinea. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a yellowish body with a shiny blue-black longitudinal band and yellow-flushing fins, especially in dominant males. It lives in schools in the clear lake among water plants and eats small insects, larvae, crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lake Tebera rainbowfish?

The Lake Tebera rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Lake Tebera rainbowfish live?

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

How big does the Lake Tebera rainbowfish get?

The Lake Tebera rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Lake Tebera rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lake Tebera rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Lake Tebera rainbowfish edible?

Yes, the Lake Tebera rainbowfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tebera-regenboogvis sourced
English name
Lake Tebera rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Lake Tebera rainbowfish; Lake Tebera Rainbowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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 sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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