Melanotaenia corona
Corona Rainbowfish
Species Summary
Melanotaenia corona was described on the basis of two specimens collected in 1911 from the Sermowai River, near Walckenaer Bay, northern New Guinea, about 2°47'S, 140° 00'E. It differs from other members of the genus in the shape of the dorsal and anal fin outline and colour pattern. The body is laterally compressed and elongated. Two dorsal fins, very close together, the first much smaller than the second. May reach a maximum size of 12 cm, but usually less than 10 cm. The second dorsal and anal fins are unusually tall compared with other members of the genus. The longest rays are situated in the middle part of these fins, a feature that is typical of some Glossolepis. Live colours unknown.
Melanotaenia corona is easily distinguished from other member’s of the genus on the basis of colour pattern, particularly the combination of the four broad dark stripes on the back and the very dark coloration of the dorsal and anal fins. As is the case for e.g. Melanotaenia irianjaya, the longest soft rays of the dorsal and anal fin are located in the middle part of these fins, a character which is also present in the genus Glossolepis.
Etymology
The species name corona is Latin for rim or border, referring to the distinctive white margin on the dorsal fins.
Etymology compiled from C. Scharpf (2023), “Fishes of Sahul: An Etymological Survey (Part 6), the rainbowfishes (continued)”, Fishes of Sahul 37(1): 2006–2022, and etyfish.org.
Distribution & Habitat
Known only from the upper Sermowai River on the north coast of West Papua, about 75 kilometres west of Jayapura. They were collected by Knud Gjellerup in 1911. Four other species of rainbowfishes were collected by Gjellerup from the Sermowai River: Chilatherina crassispinosa, Chilatherina fasciata, Chilatherina lorentzii and Melanotaenia affinis. However, it is not known if they share the same habitat with Melanotaenia corona.
Remarks
The only two known specimens must have escaped Weber and de Beaufort’s attention. The holotype is preserved in Amsterdam, the only paratype was sent to the Western Australian Museum in Perth.
Today Melanotaenia corona is still awaiting rediscovery. The specific name is Latin, meaning rim, or border, alluding to the distinctive white margin on the dorsal fins. This species is not currently available in the aquarium hobby.
References
- Allen G.R. (1982) Melanotaenia corona, a new species of rainbowfish from northern New Guinea. Bulletin Zoölogisch Museum, Universiteit van Amsterdam 8(21): 173-176.