Western Rainbowfish Melanotaenia australis

The Western Rainbowfish is native to rivers, streams, lakes and marshes of Northern Territory and Western Australia. They grow to 10-11cm long. Like the larger Regal or Banded Rainbowfish, they have a black lateral band (not clear in some populations) and red fins. The thin lines are red, orange or yellow. Below the black band is a white line then 2-3 thin wiggly black lines before a pale belly, making the central line look white rather than black (and some more deserving of the trifasciata or 3-banded name. The tail is slightly forked. Males are more brightly marked than females.