Species Profile: Melanotaenia exquisita

Species Photo by: Kyle Carlson

Description:   Melanotaenia exquisita has a slender and compressed body. Two dorsal fins, very close together, the first much smaller than the second. Mature males have a higher first dorsal fin, which overlaps the origin of the second dorsal fin when depressed. Females have smaller rounded dorsal and anal fins. May reach a maximum size of 9 cm, but usually less than 8 cm. Adults are olive on the back and silvery white on the lower half. There is a pair of prominent stripes running along the middle of the side with a red stripe just below. A pair of dark zigzag stripes is situated between the red stripe and base of the anal fin. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are edged with red, frequently with small black spots. Males are relatively slender compared to that of most other rainbowfishes.

Category:   Rainbowfish

Global Region:   Oceania

Distribution:   Northern Territory, AU