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Barred rainbowfish (Chilatherina fasciata) — Melanotaeniidae

Barred rainbowfish

Chilatherina fasciata

The Barred rainbowfish (Chilatherina fasciata) 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
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The barred rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh water of northern Papua New Guinea. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body; dominant males are blue-green with reddish fins and a few dark crossbars, females silvery. It lives in schools in clear rivers and lakes among water plants and eats small insects, larvae, crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred rainbowfish?

The Barred rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Barred rainbowfish live?

The Barred rainbowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Barred rainbowfish get?

The Barred rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Barred rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gebande regenboogvis sourced
English name
Barred rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Chilatherina fasciata
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Barred rainbowfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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

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 Chilatherina

More from the family Melanotaeniidae

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