Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village”
Species Summary
Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village” were originally collected from the Auk River at Suswa Village (approximately 0°56'S, 132°15'E) by G.R. Allen and H. Bleher in 1982 and formed part of the original description of Melanotaenia irianjaya in 1985. However, genetic studies clearly show that the specimens collected from Suswa Village were a different species (P. J. Unmack 2009, pers. comm.)
They look very similar to Melanotaenia irianjaya and were originally distributed in the hobby as Melanotaenia irianjaya “Suswa Village”. They have a distinctive colour pattern with two dark blotches on the side of the body. These blotches become visible at around 3 cm in size, and increase with age and size. The mauve base colour and the black and white edging of the second dorsal fin are concise characteristics that don’t occur on any other rainbowfish species in this combination (Graf 2009).
This species was being maintained locally and were eventually taken to the United States where they were bred and distributed into the aquarium hobby.
Original content from Rainbowfishes — Their Care & Keeping in Captivity (Adrian R. Tappin, 2011).