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Red rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) — Melanotaeniidae

Red rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus
VU · Vulnerable

The Red rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus) is a fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Red rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from fresh water of Lake Sentani in New Guinea. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, body that flares bright red in adult males body with two dorsal fins and a glossy, metallic sheen that flares up in courtship colour. As a lively schooling fish it swims in clear lakes and streams and eats small invertebrates, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red rainbowfish?

The Red rainbowfish is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red rainbowfish live?

The Red rainbowfish is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Red rainbowfish get?

The Red rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Red rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode regenboogvis sourced
English name
Red rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Glossolepis incisus
Family
Melanotaeniidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
12 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

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 Glossolepis

More from the family Melanotaeniidae

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