Strickland Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia iris

The Strickland Rainbowfish was scientifically described by Allen in 1987. Its scientific name is Melanotaenia iris. It is known only from five specimens that were collected from the Logatyu River in 1984 by Gwyther during an environmental survey. The Logatyu River is a mountain tributary of the Strickland River from which the species derives its common name. The specimens were caught near Wankipe Village.

Description
The Strickland Rainbowfish can be at least 12 cm (4.7 inches) long. The adult male is bluish on the upper back while the lower region is white. The body is decorated with a broad dark mid-lateral blue stripe that runs along the middle of the side. The fish is also adorned with thin stripes along each horizontal row of scales on the upper part of the body. These stripes are red to orange.

The live colours of the female Strickland Rainbowfish remain unknown.

Geographical distribution, habitat and conservation
The Strickland Rainbowfish lives in south-western Papua New Guinea. It has been found in the upper tributaries of the Strickland River system. This habitat has shallow and rapidly flowing water and the bottom is covered in boulders. Only five specimens have been collected and it is therefore impossible to say exactly how large the natural range of the Strickland Rainbowfish is. The five specimens were collected in the Logatyu River which is a mountain tributary of the Strickland River. The area is located 1200 meters (almost 4000 feet) above sea level and roughly 850 km (almost 530 miles) upstream from the sea.

The Strickland Rainbowfish is listed as “Lower Risk: least concern” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Keeping Strickland Rainbowfish in aquariums
As far as we know, the Strickland Rainbowfish has not been kept in aquariums.

Breeding Strickland Rainbowfish
As far as we know, the Strickland Rainbowfish has not been bred in aquariums.

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