The Regal Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata) is a small freshwater fish.

The Regal Rainbowfish is bluish-purple, yellowish, and red, with red fins and a red tail. It has many horizontal red lines from its gills to its tail. It is almost round shape, with a protruding face. It has yellow eyes.

Regal Rainbowfish

It is the largest rainbowfish. It measures about 15 centimetres (6 inches) long, whereas most rainbowfish measure 12 centimetres (5 inches).

The Regal Rainbowfish is native to New Guinea, Indonesia, and northern and eastern Australia, in the states of Queensland and the Northern Territory. It can be found in many habitats, such as swamps, lagoons, streams, and rivers.

It is omnivorous, eating crabs, shrimp, insect larvae, and algae.

The female Regal Rainbowfish lays about 50 eggs a day for several days, which attach to aquatic plants with sticky threads. The eggs hatch after 7-18 days.

Regal Rainbowfish

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM