Order Atheriniformes ( Atheriniformes )
Family Melanotaeniidae ( Melanotaeniidae )
Genus Glossolepis — Glossolepis.
To be continued…
— Glossolepis kabia — Glossolepis kabia [Herre, 1935]. Synonym: Melanotaenia kabia, rosacea. 8-10 cm. New Guinea, Ramu River. Adult fish (especially males) have a very high body (up to 6-8 cm), although this sexual dimorphism is not very noticeable in juveniles up to 6 cm. The upper half of the body is dark, blue-greenish with a silvery sheen, and the lower half is yellow-orange. Adult males have orange stripes on the sides between scale rows.
On the belly, up to the middle of the body, there are indistinct alternating vertical stripes. Gill covers are silvery-yellow or golden. Fins are generally transparent or slightly greenish. The dorsal and anal fins in males often have a silvery-yellow sheen, orange rays at the base, and slightly black outer edges. The caudal fin is blue. Geographical color variations: — Glossolepis kabia “Paro Village;
— Leggett’s Rainbowfish — Glossolepis leggetti [Allen & Renyaan, 1998]. (Eng. Leggett’s Rainbowfish). Indonesia. 9 cm. The body of the males is iridescent green on the back, and orange to whitish on the chest and lower side. Blue is most intense posteriorly. Sides with scattered dark blue spots or narrow stripes on a metallic blue stripe. Fins are usually translucent, although the dorsal and anal fins may be bluish, especially in adult males.
Females have the same coloration but are less ornamented, with a narrow lateral stripe and fewer dark blue spots or narrow stripes. There are significantly fewer dark spots or narrow stripes on the sides. Does not like strong currents. In nature, it inhabits deep backwaters with a weak current. Schooling fish.
— Spotted Rainbowfish — Glossolepis maculosus [Allen, 1981]. Synonym: Nematocentris maculates. (Eng. Spotted Rainbowfish). New Guinea, Omsis River. In nature, they inhabit rivers with a weak current. 5-6 cm. Compared to other Glossolepis species, this is a rather narrow-bodied and small fish. Males are greenish-bronze with a greenish-blue sheen; along the middle of the body, mainly its posterior part, 5-10 rounded dark spots are visible. Each individual has its own pattern of distinctive spots on the sides. Even the left and right sides of each individual may have different markings. Spots appear in two- to three-month-old fry.
Below the lateral line, the body is whitish in the front and yellowish in the back. Fins are greenish with a slight hint of orange and black margins. Females are olive-green with a silvery belly and distinctive spots on the sides; fins are rounded. Mature males are much larger and taller than females and have an elongated first dorsal fin that partially covers the second dorsal fin. Schooling fish. Water clear. dH 10-25°; T 25-27°C; pH 7.5-7.8.
— Sepik Rainbowfish, Rosy Rainbowfish — Glossolepis multisquamata [Weber & Beaufort, 1922]. Synonym: Glossolepis multisquamatus, Melanotaenia multisquamata. (Eng. Sepik Rainbowfish, Rosy Rainbowfish). Northern New Guinea, Mamberamo River basin. 10-12 cm. There are several geographical variants. The body is olive-green to silvery, with a reddish or pinkish tint on the sides.
Series of narrow orange-red stripes between each row of scales. The orange-red stripes on the sides are much brighter in mature males, giving the body an overall reddish color. Males have bright red eyes. Fins are usually reddish or greenish-yellow. Fish begin to develop their beautiful characteristic colors at a length of 5 cm.
Males are larger, taller, more brightly colored, and adults become very tall, with a body height of 6 cm. Females are generally brownish, with thinner color stripes or none at all. Females are very similar to the females of Glossolepis wanamensis, so these two species should be kept separately. Geographical color variations: — Glossolepis multisquamata “Lake Kli”; — Glossolepis multisquamata “Pagai Mudhole”;
Mobile, active schooling fish; keep in a school of 6 or more individuals among dense vegetation with other similarly sized species. Peaceful neighbors. Aquarium with perimeter planting and open swimming space. Excellent jumpers, so a tight-fitting cover glass is necessary. Unlike most rainbowfishes, they require soft, slightly acidic water. Lifespan up to 6 years. pH 6.0-7.5; dH 2-10°; T 24-30°C.
Glossolepis pseudoincisus, ramuensis, wanamensis.
Glossolepis dorityi, Glossolepis incisus. 
