New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Melanotaenia rubrivittata Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2015
Max Length
4.9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.9
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

The type specimen was collected from a small, fully shaded pond formed from previous flooding of the nearby Tirawiwa River (sometimes spelt Tiawiwa). The pond was about 12 m in diameter with an average depth of only 30 cm and substratum comprising of soft mud covered with a layer of organic debris, mainly dead leaves. Other specimens were found in a small (2-5 m width), closed-canopy rainforest stream 1.3 km northwest from the type locality. Only Melanotaenia rubrivittata and Mogurnda wapoga were collected at both sites, although a few juvenile Glossolepis leggetti were obtained from the pond habitat. Also found in a small (about 1.5-2 m wide) rainforest stream that was also inhabited by Melanotaenia rubripinnis and Chilatherina alleni .

Scientific Name
Melanotaenia rubrivittata
Authority
Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2015
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
4.9 cm
Trophic Level
2.9
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Water Temp
27–29 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 17 - 21. Melanotaenia rubrivittata is distinguished by the following combination of characters: IV-VI-I,9-12 (usually V-I,10-11) dorsal-fin rays; I,17-21 (usually I,18-20) anal-fin rays; 10-13 (usually 11-12) pectoral-fin rays; 32-33 scales on lateral line, 13-16 (usually 14-15) predorsal scales; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; 12-14 gill rakers on first arch; 11-16 (average 8.9) scales covering cheek (preopercle); snout length 3.2 (3.0-4.3) in HL; average body depth of adult males 37.7 % SL; color in life brilliant neon blue on upper two-thirds of body with five red stripes (one between each scale row); ventral portion of head and body silvery white to blue with slight pinkish hue; first dorsal fin blue; second dorsal fin blue with red basal stripe and broad red zone encompassing outer margin and posterior portion of fin; anal fin bluish with red basal stripe and red outer margin; caudal fin red, grading to bluish or translucent along posterior margin .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.6 - 8.0. Tropical; 27°C - 29°C

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
2.9±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01122 × L3.04 (TL)
Max TL
4.9cm
Dorsal Spines
5
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
19

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
27–29°C
pH Range
6.6–8
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
25.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.9
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2015

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for aquarium ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.