Heading. Basin Fish.Heading. A-O of Native Fish.
 

Image. Murray-Darling Rainbowfish. Melanotaenia fluviatilis.
Link. About the Name.

  
Name. Murray-Darling Rainbowfish.
Scientific Name. Melanotaenia fluviatilis.
 

How Big?		  
Found Where?
How Many?   Lives Where?
Eats What?   Reproduces How?
Moves Where?   Eaten By People?
Main Threats?   Are We Helping?

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Heading. How Big Does it Grow?
.
Male Rainbowfish grow up to 9 cm in length and females to 6-7 cm. Females are less colourful and somewhat slimmer than males. Males have a hump on the nose. The male's colours become brighter just before spawning.

 Heading. Where is it Found?
Murray-Darling Rainbowfish can be found everywhere in the Murray-Darling System.
 
Image. Murray-Darling Rainbowfish Distribution Map.

 Heading. How Many Are There?
IN THE PAST
Rainbowfish were found everywhere and were very common.
TODAY
Rainbowfish are still quite common, but they are not usually found in cold waters or in drought-affected areas.

 Heading. What Habitats Does it Use?
.
Heading. Large-Scale Habitats.
Image. Habitat - Slopes and Tablelands. Image. Habitat - Lakes and Dams.
SLOPES AND TABLELANDS WETLANDS
Rainbowfish live in streams and creeks in the slopes and tableland areas and they are also found on plains in lakes, dams and wetlands.
 
Heading. Small-Scale Habitats.
Image. Habitat - Billabongs. Image. Habitat - Aquatic Plant Beds.
BILLABONGS AQUATIC PLANT BEDS
Rainbowfish swim just above the bottom. They like still ponds and billabongs with muddy bottoms and water plants.

 Heading. How Does it Mate and Reproduce?
MATING
Rainbowfish spawn in pairs. The male displays his fins, and circles and nudges the female, before moving to a spawning site in the weeds. Both fish tremble and then release the eggs.
SPAWNING
Rainbowfish spawn from October - December. They may spawn in early morning or at dusk.
EGGS
Female Rainbowfish release 100 - 150 eggs over several days. Eggs stick to water plants with fine threads.
JUVENILES
Young Murray-Darling Rainbowfish hatch after 6 or 7 days when the water temperature is 26 - 27°C. Newly-hatched larvae are 2 to 3 mm long and they stay attached to plants for 2 days before swimming away.
Heading. What Does It Eat?
Rainbowfish mainly eat other smaller animals like insects, insect larvae and small crustaceans. They also eat algae.
Image. Murray-Darling Rainbowfish What Does It Eat?
 
Heading. Where Does it Move?
Rainbowfish swim in the water above the bottom and but are also often found in schools just below the surface. They do not seem to move very far and do not migrate to a different area to spawn.

 Heading. Do People Eat Them?
Heading. Fisheries.
Heading. Commercial.
IN THE PAST
Rainbowfish have not been fished commercially.
TODAY
Rainbowfish are only bred and sold for aquariums.
Heading. Recreational.
IN THE PAST
Rainbowfish have not been caught for food.
TODAY
Rainbowfish are only caught for aquariums.
Heading. Fishing.
LEGAL SIZES
There are no size limits on Rainbowfish that can be caught. This applies to all States of Australia.
CATCH LIMITS
There are no limits on the number of Rainbowfish that can be caught each day. This applies to all States of Australia.
CLOSED SEASONS
Rainbowfish can be caught all year round in all States of Australia.
BAIT
Rainbowfish are caught in nets, not on lines.

 Heading. What Are the Main Threats to This Fish?
Image. Threats - Water Quality.
WATER QUALITY
Rainbowfish are affected by cold water that is released from dams.

 Heading. How Are We Helping?
People are keeping Murray-Darling Rainbowfish in aquariums as they are peaceful, colourful and have attractive fins. They are only bred for aquariums, not to stock natural habitats.
RECOVERY PLANS
There are no recovery plans in place for the Murray-Darling Rainbowfish.

Page Last Updated: 10 Aug 2006 17:27