Melanotaenia ammeri Allen, Unmack & Hadiaty, 2008

Family:  Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Max. size:  10.18 cm SL (male/unsexed); 7.35 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; depth range 0 - 1 m
Distribution:  Asia: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 20-25. A species of Melanotaeniid rainbowfish distinguished by the following combination of characters: dorsal rays IV to VI-I, 12 to 15 (usually 13 or 14); anal rays I,20-25 (usually I,21 to 23); pectoral rays 12 to 14 (usually 13 or 14); lateral scales 34-36 (usually 35), predorsal scales 17 to 19 (usually 17 or 18); total gill rakers on first arch 16 to 18 (usually 16); colour in life generally bluish dorsally with series of alternating mauve to blue-grey and pale yellow stripes (one per scale row) on side of body, midlateral blue stripe usually much darker than others; median fins generally yellow, brighter in adult males (Ref. 79630).
Biology:  Currently known from the type locality, a small creek flowing into the northern part of Arguni Bay and occurs in nearby streams, the exact limits of distribution remain to be determined . The type locality is narrow (to about 2-3m wide), relatively shallow (to about 0.5m) stream with gradual gradients flowing through second growth forest, about one kilometre upstream from the sea. Type specimens were collected over sand and gravel bottoms with substantial leaf litter and dead tree branches. Maximum length of female is 7.3 cm SL (Ref. 79630).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 03 December 2019 (B1a) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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