Eastern rainbowfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits streams and lakes, often forming large schools at the surface. Temperatures in their environments range from 20 to 29 °C and pH from 5.3 to 8.5 and the water varies from clear to turbid .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 18 - 20. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Eastern rainbowfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Eastern rainbowfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Females attach their eggs to aquatic vegetation and other submerged materials, e.g. Melaleuca sp. roots found in banks and margins of rivers . Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 10 - 30; depth range 0 - ? m. Tropical; 20°C - 30°C
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Eastern rainbowfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Eastern rainbowfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Eastern rainbowfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aida inornata | Castelnau | 1875 | Synonym |
| Aidaprora carteri | Whitley | 1935 | Synonym |
| Aristeus cavifrons | Macleay | 1882 | Synonym |
| Melanotaenia splendida inornata | Castelnau | 1875 | Synonym |
| Melanotaenia splendida splendida | - | - | Synonym |
| Melanotaenia splendida tatei | Zietz | 1896 | Synonym |
| Nematocentris splendida | Peters | 1866 | Synonym |
| Nematocentris tatei | Zietz | 1896 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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