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Goldie River rainbowfish (Melanotaenia goldiei) — Melanotaeniidae

Goldie River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia goldiei
LC · Least Concern

The Goldie River rainbowfish (Melanotaenia goldiei) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
New Guinea; swamps, streams and rivers.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Goldie River rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from New Guinea. The species has a fairly elongate, laterally compressed body that shines silvery with blue and yellow tints and a dark lengthwise stripe. It inhabits swamps, backwaters, tributary streams and large rivers. It lives in schools and feeds on small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant matter. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldie River rainbowfish?

The Goldie River rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Silvery with blue and yellow tints and a dark longitudinal stripe; shoaling rainbowfish from New Guinea.

Where does the Goldie River rainbowfish live?

The Goldie River rainbowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. New Guinea; swamps, streams and rivers.

How big does the Goldie River rainbowfish get?

The Goldie River rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Goldie River rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldie River rainbowfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldie River rainbowfish edible?

The Goldie River rainbowfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldie River rainbowfish verified
Scientific name
Melanotaenia goldiei
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Gold-line rainbowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
New Guinea; swamps, streams and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insects, algae and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Silvery with blue and yellow tints and a dark longitudinal stripe; shoaling rainbowfish from New Guinea. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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