Melanotaenia utcheensis
Melanotaenia utcheensis McGuigan, 2001
Utchee rainbowfish
Melanotaenia utcheensis
photo by JJPhoto


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Family:  Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Max. size:  4.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Oceania: Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-20. This species has a distinct colour pattern with a blue-black mid-lateral band and orange margins on vertical rows (Ref. 44137).
Biology:  This species is found in moderate to fast flowing water, in sections of stream with deep pools separated by short runs; its substrate consists of cobbles and boulders with little fine sediment. Reported to be co-oocurring frequently with purple spotted gudgeons (Mogurnda adspersa), long finned eels (Anguilla reinhardtii) and less commonly with blue-eyes (Psuedomugil signifer), roman nosed gobbies (Awaous acritosis), swamp eels (Ophisternon sp.), grunters (Hephaestus sp.) and exotic guppies (Poecilia reticulata)(Ref. 44137).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 15 February 2019 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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