The Ogilby's Rainbowfish was scientifically described by Weber in 1910. Its scientific name is Melanotaenia ogilbyi. The species was collected from the lower Lorentz River in 1907 by a Dutch explorer named Dr. H. Lorentz. He collected seven specimens. In 1995, Dr. Gerald R. Allen collected a few specimens near Timika,

Description
This species can reach a length of 8 cm (3.1 inches). The live colours of Ogilby's Rainbowfish remain unknown, since the species is only known from seven specimens collected in 1907. It is believed to be similar to Melanotaenia papuae, but with more intense dark stripes running along the middle of the body. The stripes may sometimes merge into a single wide band. The fish has 6-7 dorsal spines, 11 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine and 17-18 anal soft rays.

Geographical distribution, habitat and conservation
Ogilby's Rainbowfish lives in streams in the south-eastern part of Western New Guinea (formerly known as Irian Jaya). It has only been encountered in the Lorentz River which is one of Western New Guinea's largest southward flowing rivers. Ogilby's Rainbowfish has been found in swampy environments along this river.

Ogilby's Rainbowfish is listed as “Data deficient” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means that there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.

Keeping Ogilby's Rainbowfish in aquariums
As far as we know, Ogilby's Rainbowfish has not been kept in aquariums.

Breeding Ogilby's Rainbowfish
There is no information available about breeding Ogilby's Rainbowfish in aquariums.

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Other New Guinea Rainbowfishes

Axelrods Rainbowfish
Bleher’s Rainbowfish
Bulolo Rainbowfish
Higlands Rainbowfish
Silver Rainbowfish
Barred Rainbowfish
Lorentz’s Rainbowfish
Sentani Rainbowfish
Red Rainbowfish
Spotted Rainbowfish
Sepik Rainbowfish
Tami River Rainbowfish
Ramu Rainbowfish
Lake Wanam Rainbowfish
Threadfin Rainbowfish
Northern Rainbowfish
Ayamaru Rainbowfish
Angfa Rainbowfish
Arfak Rainbowfish
Boeseman’s Rainbowfish
Corona Rainbowfish
Waigeo Rainbowfish
Serong Rainbowfish
Goldie River Rainbowfish
Lake Tebera  Rainbowfish
Irian Jaya Rainbowfish
Strickland Rainbowfish
Yapen Rainbowfish
Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish
McCulloch’s  Rainbowfish
Mayland’s Rainbowfish
Misool Rainbowfish
Mountain Rainbowfish
Oktedi Rainbowfish
Parkinson’s Rainbowfish
Lake Kurumoi Rainbowfish
Pima River Rainbowfish
Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
Fly River Rainbowfish
Red Striped Rainbowfish
Van Heurn’s  Rainbowfish