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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Murray River rainbowfish

Melanotaenia fluviatilis Castelnau, 1878
Max Length
11 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.9
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Typical Length
8.5 cm
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Found in rivers, creeks, drains, ponds and reservoirs. Occurs usually in still or slow-flowing conditions . Inhabits streams, backwaters of larger rivers, drainage ditches, overflow ponds and reservoirs. Usually congregates along grassy banks or around submerged logs and branches . Omnivorous . The most southward-ranging rainbowfish and the only species adapted to low winter temperatures (normally about 10°-15°C). There is evidence that numbers are drastically reduced during winter drought when water temperatures dip below 10°C. Suitable for outdoor pond culture in temperate climates .

Scientific Name
Melanotaenia fluviatilis
Authority
Castelnau, 1878
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
11 cm
Trophic Level
2.9
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Water Temp
22–25 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Murray River rainbowfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Murray River rainbowfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: 10 - ?. Tropical; 22°C - 25°C endemic to Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
2.9±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01122 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
11cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
22–25°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
32.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.9
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Castelnau, 1878

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Aristeus fluviatilis Castelnau 1878 Synonym
Melanotaenia splendida fluviatilis Castelnau 1878 Synonym
Nematocentris fluviatilis Castelnau 1878 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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