TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Family: Melanotaeniidae (Rainbow fishes)

Genus/species: Melanotaenia trifasciata

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The coloration of Melanotaenia trifasciata is variable depending on location, water conditions and diet. Populations from almost every river system where they are found have their own distinctive body color with up to 30 varieties. They can be recognised by a very deep body, usually deeper than 1/3 of their body length, and an often discontinuous black mid-lateral band3059546344_bed3615034_o

Length up to 15 cm (6 in)

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DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Northern Territories and Queensland, Australia. Found mainly in small streams and waterholes in clear to moderately turbid water. Occurs over rocky or gravel bottoms or in well vegetated areas, frequently around submerged logs and branches.
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DIET IN THE WILD: Omnivore feeding in the surface and mid-water regions. The main food items are aquatic insects, algae and terrestrial insects such as green ants.

MORTALITY/LONGEVITY: Life span: 5–8 years.

IUCN RED LIST Not Evaluated

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Water Planet 2016

Fishbase http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Melanotaenia-trifasciata

Rainbowfish rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Trifas.htm#Top_of_Page

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3059546154/in/album-72157662094208792/

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1J6