Melanotaenia boesemani

(Allen & Cross, 1980)

Vernacular names
English : Boeseman’s rainbowfish
French : Poisson arc-en-ciel de Boeseman

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Atheriniformes
Family : Melanotaeniidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 9 cm in length. Large adults have a small head and distinct hump on back and round belly. Flank scales with dark edging. First half of body is dark and light blue, second half of body is yellow turning orange near tail.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to the Indonesian part of New Guinea island and only occurs in Ajamaru and Aitinjo lakes. Lives in freshwater lakes and streams around hilly and swampy terrain.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is endemic to two locations and is highly threatened by habitat loss and competition or predation from invasive introduced species.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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