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Sentani rainbowfish (Chilatherina sentaniensis) — Melanotaeniidae

Sentani rainbowfish

Chilatherina sentaniensis

The Sentani rainbowfish (Chilatherina sentaniensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Melanotaeniidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia

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Description

The Sentani rainbowfish is a rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) endemic to Lake Sentani in northern Papua, Indonesia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body; dominant males are dark with blue-green and yellowish tones, females silvery. It lives in schools in the lake among water plants and eats small insects, larvae, crustaceans and algae. Through introduced species the species is under pressure. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sentani rainbowfish?

The Sentani rainbowfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Sentani rainbowfish live?

The Sentani rainbowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Sentani rainbowfish get?

The Sentani rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Sentani rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sentani rainbowfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sentani rainbowfish sourced
Scientific name
Chilatherina sentaniensis
Family
Melanotaeniidae
Other names
Sentani Rainbowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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