Teleostei (teleosts) >
Atheriniformes (Silversides) >
Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Etymology: Melanotaenia: Greek, melan, -anos = black + latin, taenia = stripe (Ref. 45335); sylvatica: Named for its typical forest stream habitat ('sylvatica', Latin, 'of the forest').
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Oceania: Papua New Guinea.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31111)
Occurs in clear and slow-flowing water, with mud-sandy bottom (Ref. 31111).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1997. A new species of rainbowfish (Melanotaenia: Melanotaeniidae), from the Lake Kamu Basin, Papua New Guinea. Rev. Fr. Aquariol. 24(1-2):37-42. (Ref. 31111)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential
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