This new dwarf rainbowfish, which has obviously not yet been scientifically described, was only introduced to the aquarium hobby in 2019. As is so often the case with rainbowfishes, it was found during a privately funded and conducted research trip. Its provisional name Melanotaenia sp. “Kali Tawa” refers to the place where it was found in Papua New Guinea.
With a total length of normally 7 cm (several years old specimens are said to be able to reach 10 cm), this species is one of the smaller representatives of the genus. The combination of snow-white dorsal and anal fins and red caudal fin, plus an orange front ridge and blue tones on the flank, makes them highly attractive in terms of color. In the trade we have juvenile offspring about 4 cm long, which are of course not yet fully colored, but even these are already quite pretty!
For our customers: the fish have code 428803 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
