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Ornate rainbowfish (Rhadinocentrus ornatus) — Melanotaeniidae

Ornate rainbowfish

Rhadinocentrus ornatus

The Ornate rainbowfish (Rhadinocentrus ornatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The ornate rainbowfish is a small rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from coastal streams and peat swamps of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender body that varies strongly in colour by population, from silvery to red and blue, with shiny scale edges. It lives in schools in clear, often tea-coloured water among water plants and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ornate rainbowfish?

The Ornate rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Ornate rainbowfish live?

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

How big does the Ornate rainbowfish get?

The Ornate rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Ornate rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ornate rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwoog-regenboogvis sourced
English name
Ornate rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Rhadinocentrus ornatus
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Moreton Island sunfish; Neon light sunfish; Ornate rainbowfish; Porthole fish; Soft-spined rainbowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured 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 inferred

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

More from the family Melanotaeniidae

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