Order Atheriniformes
Family Melanotaeniidae
Genus Chilatherina
Continued…
— Chilatherina fasciata [Weber, 1913]. Synonym: Rhombatractus fasciatus. (Barred Rainbowfish). Northern New Guinea, Mamberamo, Mamberamo (Membrano), Sepik, Ramu Rivers, Lake Wanam. 11 cm. On the territory of New Guinea, there are natural barriers that isolated individuals of the species, thus ensuring the presence of various color variations. In males, the color varies depending on origin, but most often from brown to bluish-green in the upper half of the body, and from bluish-green to whitish-yellow on the lower half. A greenish gloss is present on the longitudinal dark stripe. The scales in this area are indistinctly yellow. Males also have dark oblique stripes on the belly and the lower part of the body.
Unpaired fins are dark gray to yellowish with dark red dashes along the rays. Males are larger, bigger, and higher-bodied than females, more brightly colored, with pointed dorsal and anal fins having a reddish or yellowish tint. During spawning, males color up very brightly. The upper part of the back becomes cherry-colored, and the upper part of the head is bright bronze with a sheen. Eyes are blue-violet with a golden iris. Gill covers shine with gold. The female is mostly blue-violet with an expressive longitudinal stripe and colorless fins. The throat is yellowish with small black spots.
Unlike males, which have long posterior rays of the dorsal fin, females have long rays in the anterior part of the fin. Young and adult fish differ greatly in coloration. Often confused with C. sentaniensis, which is usually larger. Also, C. sentaniensis has a longer and more pointed head. Peaceful, active, schooling fish. pH 7.0-8.1; dH 9-19°; T 26-30°C.
Geographic color variations: — Chilatherina fasciata “Clearwater Creek”; — Chilatherina fasciata “Faowi Village”; — Chilatherina fasciata “Kali Biru”; — Chilatherina fasciata “Lake Sentani” – has a bluish-pink coloration; — Chilatherina fasciata “Lake Wanam”; — Chilatherina fasciata “Mamberamo”; — Chilatherina fasciata “Pagai Village”. Males are dark red with golden-silver flanks;
— Chilatherina lorentzii [Weber, 1907]. Synonym: Rhombatractus lorentzii. (Lorentz’s Rainbowfish). New Guinea. 10-12 cm, with a body depth of about 3-4 cm. The main color is silvery or bluish on the sides and white below. Mature males have dark oblique stripes on the lower part of the body and belly, a wide blue or black stripe on the sides, and yellowish fins.
Females are brownish-green in the upper part of the body and silvery-white on the lower half, with a faint bluish lateral line extending from the eyes to the middle of the caudal fin base. Pelvic and pectoral fins are transparent. Males are larger, bigger, and higher-bodied than females, more brightly colored. Schooling fish. Floating plants, plants along the sides of the aquarium. T 26-29°C; dH up to 15°; pH 7.5-8.0.
— Chilatherina pricei [Allen & Renyaan, 1996]. New Guinea, inhabits shallow streams. 7-9 cm. General coloration is silvery-gray to bluish, scales on the back sometimes with gold or yellow edges forming yellow longitudinal stripes between scale rows, on the caudal peduncle they are sometimes completely yellow. Dark blue short stripes on the lower half of the belly between the base of the pelvic fins and the center of the anal fin, and in some 2-6 small dark blue spots on the lateral midline on the posterior half of the body.
Fins are mostly semi-transparent, bluish. In adult males, the dorsal and anal fins are golden-yellow. Males are larger, bigger, and higher-bodied than females, more brightly colored. Rays on the dorsal fin of the male are longer and elongated. Gets along peacefully with other fish. Aquarium with finely divided plants, best planted along the side and back walls. pH 7.5-8.1; T 24-26°C.
— Chilatherina sentaniensis [Weber, 1907]. Synonym: Rhombatractus sentaniensis. (Sentani Rainbowfish). Northern New Guinea: Lake Sentani, Sekanto Rivers. Male up to 11, female up to 9 cm. Has a high diamond-shaped body. Bluish-purple with a pink sheen and a golden-red dorsal ridge, the lower part is silvery-orange. They have a scattered blue or green lateral stripe and narrow silver or light blue stripes between each row of scales.
Fins are blackish at the edges. When excited, a dark marbled pattern appears on the body, and the border on the scales becomes red. The usual bluish coloration of the fish darkens significantly and becomes fantastically bright during spawning in the early morning hours or some time after the lights are turned on, if the aquarium is located far from the window. Along the upper part of the head from the mouth to the first rays of the dorsal fin runs a golden or orange glowing wide ridge. A golden sheen appears on the anal fin.
Males are larger, bigger, and higher-bodied than females, more brightly colored. However, color can vary depending on the conditions in which the fish are kept. Schooling fish. Free swimming space is required. Floating plants, plants on the sides, driftwood. Fish are thermophilic, feel good at T 25-28°C; pH 6.2-7.6; dH 2-16°.
Identification: Genus Chilatherina — Chilatherina fasciata, pricei, sentaniensis.
Glossolepis dorityi, Glossolepis incisus.
Chilatherina bulolo, Chilatherina campsi, Chilatherina crassispinosa. 
