Species Profile: Chilatherina axelrodi

Species Photo by: Neil Armstrong

Description:   Chilatherina axelrodi males have a body colour of bluish-grey to greenish-brown on the upper half of the body and silver-grey or whitish on the lower half. There is a about 10 short bars along the middle of side (approximately every two scales) that finally merge with a more or less solid blackish stripe along the middle of caudal peduncle. There are about 6-10 faint dusky bars on lower side of the body, those on side of abdomen are particularly evident. The upper half of the body has a number of bluish stripes while the lower half has a number of faint yellow stripes, bordering each longitudinal scale row. The dorsal, anal and pelvis fins are yellowish, other fins translucent. Females are an overall silvery colour and rather plain compared to the males. Males are more brightly coloured, larger, and much deeper bodied than females. Males may reach a maximum size of 10 cm, with females usually less than 8 cm SL.

Category:   Rainbowfish

Global Region:   Oceania

Distribution:   Papua New Guinea: Yungkiri Stream

CARES Classification:   Endangered