Species Profile: Chilatherina Sp 'Kali Awalim'

Description:   Another C. fasciata type from close to the Papua/PNG border, this brilliant blue-purple fish was discovered near Yuruf Village in "Kali Awalim" stream by Gary Lange's collecting team. Males start off olive green with peachish-pink in the fins and later fill out with half-blue (sometimes gunmetal steel blue), half-white in the body with pink pectoral fins while females maintain that grey-green and later add hints of blue shine. Even as juveniles the "Chilatherina bars" fright patterning is quite prominent, and these stay with them as a prominent characteristic even into adulthood. These are a very active Chilatherina and you'll catch young males flashing yellow, green, pink, orange head stripes while sparring constantly with conspecifics and other rainbows in your tank. Even the females can throw on orange head stripes! Being a fasciata type, this fish likely tops out at 4.5-5 inches in an adequately sized aquarium with proper stocking and husbandry."

Category:   Rainbowfish

Global Region:   Oceania

Distribution: