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Dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia maccullochi) — Melanotaeniidae

Dwarf rainbowfish

Melanotaenia maccullochi

The Dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia maccullochi) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The dwarf rainbowfish is a small, colourful rainbowfish from fresh water of northeastern Australia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a silvery body with fine red-brown longitudinal lines and red-edged fins that light up during courtship. It lives in schools in clear streams, pools and swamps and eats small insects, larvae, crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf rainbowfish?

The Dwarf rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Dwarf rainbowfish live?

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

How big does the Dwarf rainbowfish get?

The Dwarf rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Dwarf rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf rainbowfish edible?

The Dwarf rainbowfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-regenboogvis verified
English name
Dwarf rainbowfish verified
Scientific name
Melanotaenia maccullochi
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Macculloch's rainbowfish; McCulloch's rainbowfish; McCulloch's sun-fish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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