The Western Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis) is a small-to-medium-sized freshwater fish.

The Western Rainbowfish is silver with black stripes along the length of its body. It has a white stripe in between the black stripes. It has a bright red tail.

Western Rainbowfish

It measures about 12 centimetres (5 inches) long. Males are larger than females.

The Western Rainbowfish is native to the waters of western and northern Australia, in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It prefers swamps, lagoons, lakes, streams, and rivers.

It likes to hide in aquatic vegetation and logs. It is a fast-moving fish.

The Western Rainbowfish eats algae, small aquatic animals, and shrimp.

It usually lives in groups, called shoals, of about 6-8 individuals.

The female lays eggs, which hatch into baby fish, called fry, after 7-10 days.

Western Rainbowfish

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM