Rainbow fish relatives

Rainbow fish relatives
	Diamond rainbow fish ( Melanotaenia praecox )
Systematics
	Spinefish (Acanthopterygii)
	Perch relatives (Percomorphaceae)
	Ovalentaria
Superordinate :	Earfish relatives (Atherinomorphae)
Order :	Earfish (Atheriniformes)
Subordination :	Rainbow fish relatives
Scientific name
	Melanotaenioidei

The rainbow fish relatives (Melanotaenioidei), a suborder of the Atheriniformes , are predominantly freshwater fish from areas bordering the southern Indian Ocean.

Bedotia spec.

Fork-tailed blue-eye ( Pseudomugil furcatus )

Celebes earfish ( Marosatherina ladigesi )

Occurrence

Most species live in freshwater lakes, streams, and swamps in Madagascar , Sulawesi , Australia, and New Guinea . Melanotaeniidae and Bedotiidae are sometimes also found in brackish water, but do not live there permanently. Some species of the Pseudomugilidae and Telmatherinidae live permanently in brackish or sea water.

Many species are endangered in nature by the release of alien species in their home waters, as well as by rapidly advancing environmental degradation (especially in Madagascar, but also Sulawesi and New Guinea). They are characterized by their variety of colors and shapes. Large species can reach an age of six years, while small species are often one or two years old in nature.

In particular, the colorful species from the rainbow fish family are often excellent aquarium fish, which are enjoying increasing popularity.

Systematics

The systematic assignment of the rainbow fish relatives has not yet been clearly clarified. According to the latest phylogenetic studies, the families Bedotiidae , Melanotaeniidae , Pseudomugilidae and Telmatherinidae are included in the newly established subordination of the Melanotaenioidei (rainbow fish relatives) within the Atheriniformes .

Bedotiidae with 16 described and numerous undescribed species in 2 genera. Occurrence only on Madagascar and offshore islands.
- Bedotia , 9 described and around a dozen undescribed species
- Rheocles , 7 described and 3 undescribed species

Rainbow fish (Melanotaeniidae) with more than 100 described species, as well as other undefined species or forms in 7 genera. Occurrence in Australia, New Guinea, and various offshore islands.
- Cairnsichthys , 1 species in Australia
- Chilatherina , 11 species in New Guinea
- Glossolepis , 9 species in New Guinea
- Iriatherina , 1 species in Australia and New Guinea
- Melanotaenia , approx. 85 described and some undescribed species
- Pelangia , 1 species in West Papua
- Rhadinocentrus , 1 species in Australia

Blue eyes (Pseudomugilidae) with 18 described and some undescribed species in 3 genera.
- Kiunga , 2 species in New Guinea
- Pseudomugil , 15 described and some undescribed species in Australia and New Guinea
- Scaturiginichthys , 1 species in Central Australia

Sulawesi rainbow fish (Telmatherinidae) with 18 described species in 5 genera.
- Kalyptatherina , 1 species in the sea off West New Guinea
- Marosatherina , 1 species in Sulawesi
- Paratherina , 4 species on Sulawesi
- Telmatherina , 10 species on Sulawesi
- Tominanga , 2 species on Sulawesi

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^ Sparks, JS & WL Smith. 2004. Phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and Australasian rainbowfishes (Teleostei: Melanotaenioidei): Gondwanan vicariance and evolution in freshwater. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33 (3): 719-734.

[1] Sparks, JS & WL Smith. 2004. Phylogeny and biogeography of the Malagasy and Australasian rainbowfishes (Teleostei: Melanotaenioidei): Gondwanan vicariance and evolution in freshwater. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33 (3): 719-734.