Melanotaenia affinis

Melanotaenia affinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Atheriniformes
Family:	Melanotaeniidae
Genus:	Melanotaenia
Species:	M. affinis
Binomial name
Melanotaenia affinis (M. C. W. Weber, 1907)

Melanotaenia affinis, the New Guinea rainbow fish, is found in north Papua New Guinea. Of the three known varieties, the so-called standard variety has the widest range. It is commonly found in the Markham, Ramu, and Sepik Rivers; their preferred habitat includes clear rainforest streams, swamps, pools, and lagoons abundant in vegetation and submerged logs.

In the aquarium

The New guinea rainbowfish is a peaceful and adaptable rainbowfish species that grows to 14 cm. It favors a pH of 7.0, hard water: (100–150 mg/l) and a temperature of 21-28 C (70 to 82 F) . It will eat small live foods and prepared diets. Just like related species, it should be kept in shoals.

References

• Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (2005) (David Alderton)
• Anon. (2001). Fish collection database of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). Smithsonian Institution - Division of Fishes.
• Allen, G.R. (1991). Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea.

External links

• Melanotaenia affinis
• Ryan Junghenn Aquarium Fish Experts