Melanotaenia lacustris Munro, 1964
Lake Kutubu rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Melanotaeniidae (Rainbowfishes, blue eyes)
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 9 - 12
Distribution:  Oceania: known only from Lake Kutubu and its outlet, the Soro River, in the Kikori River drainage of the Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-21
Biology:  Inhabits a highland lake and its outlet about 220 km upstream from the Gulf of Papua (Ref. 2847). An omnivore and egg laying species which is considered in the aquarium trade as a peaceful community fish. Prefers the following aquarium conditions: pH=7.3, H=12, 27°C water temperature, needs rocks, plants and driftwood cover (Ref. 6398).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 04 December 2019 (B1ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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