Melanotaenia affinis
A peaceful, adaptable rainbowfish endemic to New Guinea.
Melanotaenia affinis, also called the North New Guinea rainbowfish, New Guinea rainbowfish, or red-finned rainbowfish, is found only in New Guinea, across both Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea. It reaches a standard length of 11.5 cm (4.5 in). Among its three known varieties, the standard variety has the largest distribution, commonly occurring in the Markham, Ramu, and Sepik Rivers. This species prefers clear rainforest streams, swamps, pools, and lagoons that are rich in vegetation and submerged logs.
In an aquarium setting, the New Guinea rainbowfish is peaceful and adaptable, growing up to 14 cm. It does best in water with a pH around 7.0, hardness of 100–150 mg/L, and a temperature range of 21–28°C (70–82°F). It accepts small live foods and prepared diets, and, like related species, should be kept in shoals.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Melanotaenia affinis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Melanotaenia affinis is endemic to New Guinea, found in both Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea. Of the three known varieties, the so-called standard variety has the widest range, commonly occurring in the Markham, Ramu, and Sepik Rivers. Its preferred habitat includes clear rainforest streams, swamps, pools, and lagoons abundant in vegetation and submerged logs. The species grows to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) standard length in the wild.
Reader's Guide
In the aquarium, the New Guinea rainbowfish is described as a peaceful and adaptable species that grows to 14 cm. It favors a pH of 7.0, hard water (100–150 mg/L), and a temperature range of 21–28 °C (70–82 °F). It will eat small live foods and prepared diets. Just like related species, it should be kept in shoals. These care guidelines are drawn from the source article, which references the Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (2005) by David Alderton, a fish collection database of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), and Allen's Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea (1991). The species' significance lies in its adaptability to aquarium conditions and its natural role in New Guinea's freshwater ecosystems.
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