Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Melanotaeniidae Scientific name Melanotaenia praecox Higher classification Melanotaenia | |
 | ||
Similar Melanotaenia, Rainbowfish, Boeseman's rainbowfish, Threadfin rainbowfish, Red rainbowfish | ||
The dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) is a species of fish in the family Melanotaeniidae, also commonly known as the neon rainbowfish. It is endemic to the Mamberamo River basin in West Papua in Indonesia and common in the aquarium trade.
Introduction
The dwarf rainbowfish occupies small, slow-moving tributaries in regions with rainforest. It generally reaches up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in length, but there are reports of individuals up to 8 cm (3.1 in). M. praecox is considered to be an omnivorous species. Males tend to be brighter in color and have deeper bodies than the females. This species' is considered to be an egg-scatterer, so it is easy to breed. Their bodies are bright blue and iridescent, and their fins are colorful. This species is active and is known to jump out of water. They are native to a tropical climate. This species is harmless to humans, and is used commercially for aquariums and commerce. They are known to be found in freshwater environments within a benthopelagic range.
