Generic Combinations

• Melanotaenia splendida (Peters, 1866). —
  Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [56-61] (changed combination cited with subspecies)

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

• Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA: Burt Plain (BRT), Channel Country (CHC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Finke (FIN), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU) ; NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Central Arnhem (CA), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Pine Creek (PCK), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW) ; Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Ecological Descriptors

Freshwater.

Common Name References

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Splendid Rainbowfish)

History of changes

• Aida inornata Castelnau, F.L. de 1875. Researches on the fishes of Australia. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays. 2. pp. 1–52 in, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 : Official Record. Melbourne. [10].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP A.9031, Gulf of Carpentaria drainage.
• Aristeus cavifrons Macleay, W.J. 1882. The fishes of the Palmer River. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 7(1): 69-71 [69].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown, Palmer River, QLD.
• Aidaprora carteri Whitley, G.P. 1935. Studies in Ichthyology No. 9. Records of the Australian Museum 19(4): 215-250 figs 1-11 pl. 18 [224].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM I.13091, Flinders River, QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM I.13092-97 (figured in Whitley, G.P. 1938. Studies in Ichthyology No. 11. Record of the Australian Museum 20(3): 195–199 fig. 1 pl. 21 [pl. 21]).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [57]

Generic Combinations

• Melanotaenia splendida inornata (Castelnau, 1875). —
  Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [57]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Nematocentrus maculatus (Weber, 1907) [misspelling of generic name Nematocentris and misidentification]. —
  Lake, J.S. 1971. Freshwater Fishes and Rivers of Australia. Melbourne : Nelson 61 pp. [27]
• Melanotaenia maculata Weber, 1907 [misidentification]. —
  Lake, J.S. 1978. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Melbourne : Thomas Nelson 160 pp. 140 figs. [36]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Arafura Sea drainage east of Mary River, NT (132º02´E), also rivers and streams flowing into Gulf of Carpentaria including those of western Cape York Peninsula (142º30´E) to Jardine River (11º08´S, 142º19´E), and upper reaches of Leichhardt and Flinders Rivers (20º56'S), QLD, also in Torres Strait on Muralug Island, Mua Island and Badu Island (10º07´S); tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Central Arnhem (CA), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Pine Creek (PCK), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N Gulf, N coastal
  • Queensland: N Gulf

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Freshwater.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp., 63 pls. [102]

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [157]

Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [57]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [802]

Larson, H.K. & Martin, K.C. 1990. Freshwater Fishes of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences Handbook Series Number 1. Darwin : Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 102 pp. 73 figs. [26]

Leggett, R. & Merrick, J.R. 1987. Australian Native Fishes for Aquariums. Artarmon : J.R. Merrick Publications 241 pp. 142 figs. [154]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part I. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 1–144 [112] (as Melanotaenia nigrans, in part)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [171]

Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [97] (666, as Aidaprora carteri)

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [39] (643 as Aidaprora carteri)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [561] (Chequered Rainbow-fish)

Larson, H.K. & Martin, K.C. 1990. Freshwater Fishes of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences Handbook Series Number 1. Darwin : Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 102 pp. 73 figs. [26] (Chequered Rainbowfish)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [171] (Chequered Rainbow Fish)

History of changes

• Nematocentris splendida Peters, W.C.H. 1866. Mittheilung über Fische. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1866: 509-526 figs 1-4 [516].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMB 6223 (figured in Whitley, G.P. 1956. List of native freshwater fishes of Australia. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 1954-55: 39-47 [44, fig. 5]), Rockhampton, QLD.
• Strabo nigrofasciatus Kner, R. & Steindachner, F. 1867. Über neue Fische aus dem Museum der Herren Johann Caesar Godeffroy und Sohn in Hamburg. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse 54(1)(1): 356-395 4 pls [373].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NHMW 22145-46, Fitzroy River, QLD; MGH 2241, Fitzroy River, QLD.
• Aristeus fitzroyensis Castelnau, F.L. de 1878. On some new Australian (chiefly) freshwater fishes. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 3(2): 140-144 [141].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP A.4825, Rockhampton, QLD.
• Aristeus rufescens Macleay, W.J. 1881. Descriptive catalogue of the fishes of Australia. Part 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 5(4): 510-629 pls 13-14 [625].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM I.16291-001 (missing), Cairns, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60]

Generic Combinations

• Rhombatractus fitzroyensis (Castelnau, 1878) [generic name a replacement for Aristeus]. —
  Gill, T.N. 1894. An Australasian sub-family of fresh-water atherinoid fishes. American Naturalist 28(332): 708-709 [709]
• Nematocentris splendida (Peters, 1866). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [39]
• Melanotaenia splendida splendida (Peters, 1866). —
  Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Melanotaenia nigricans (Richardson, 1843). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part I. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 1–144 [112] (a misidentification, in part)
  Munro, I.S.R. 1961. Handbook of Australian fishes. Nos 1–42. Australian Fisheries Newsletter 15–17, 19, 20: 1-172 [published as separates 1956–1961] [96] (a misidentification, in part)
• Nematocentrus splendida Peters, 1866 [misspelling of generic name Nematocentris]. —
  Lake, J.S. 1971. Freshwater Fishes and Rivers of Australia. Melbourne : Nelson 61 pp. [27]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

All rivers east of the Great Dividing Range from eastern watershed of Cape York Peninsula (10º53´S) south to upper reaches of Dawson River (25º50´S), QLD; tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Freshwater.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp., 63 pls. [102]

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [157]

Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [802]

Leggett, R. & Merrick, J.R. 1987. Australian Native Fishes for Aquariums. Artarmon : J.R. Merrick Publications 241 pp. 142 figs. [156]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part I. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 1–144 [112] (as Melanotaenia nigrans, in part)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [171]

Pusey, B.J., Kennard, M.J. & Arthington, A.H. 2004. Freshwater Fishes of North-eastern Australia. Collingwood, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing 684 pp. [211]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [39] (638, as Nematocentris splendida)

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp., 63 pls. [103] (Splendid Rainbowfish)

Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60] (Eastern Rainbowfish)

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [802] (Northern Sunfish)

Lake, J.S. 1978. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Melbourne : Thomas Nelson 160 pp. 140 figs. [36] (East Queensland Rainbow Fish)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [171] (Eastern Rainbow Fish)

History of changes

• Nematocentris tatei Zietz, A.H.C. 1896. Pisces. pp. 176–180 pl. 16 in Spencer, B. (ed.) Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia. Part 2. Zoology. London. [178].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1897.1.20.54-57, Finke River, Ellerys Creek, Red Bank Creek, central Australia; SAMA F1166, Finke River, Ellerys Creek, Red Bank Creek, central Australia; ZMB 14504, Finke River, Ellerys Creek, Red Bank Creek, central Australia; NMV 57114, Finke River, Ellerys Creek, Red Bank Creek, central Australia; NMV 57115, Finke River, Ellerys Creek, Red Bank Creek, central Australia.
• Nematocentris winneckei Zietz, A.H.C. 1896. Pisces. pp. 176–180 pl. 16 in Spencer, B. (ed.) Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia. Part 2. Zoology. London. [179].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1897.1.20.47-53, near Horseshoe Bend, Finke River, central Australia; SAMA F1075, near Horseshoe Bend, Finke River, central Australia; ZMB 14502-03, near Horseshoe Bend, Finke River, central Australia; NMV 57111-57113, near Horseshoe Bend, Finke River, central Australia.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60]

Generic Combinations

• Melanotaenia splendida tatei (Zietz, 1896). —
  Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60-61]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Nematocentrus tatei Zietz, 1896 [misspelling of generic name Nematocentris]. —
  Lake, J.S. 1971. Freshwater Fishes and Rivers of Australia. Melbourne : Nelson 61 pp. [27]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Primarily streams which feed into Lake Eyre basin, including Georgina River (139º05´E), Diamantina River (141º16´E), Cooper Creek (138º56´E), Lake Frome (139º50´E) and Finke River (132º43´E) drainages, also occurs at Barkly Tableland (135º25´E) and Lake Wood (133º30´E), NT; tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, SA: Burt Plain (BRT), Channel Country (CHC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Davenport Murchison Ranges (DMR), Finke (FIN), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP), Sturt Plateau (STU)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin
  • Queensland: Lake Eyre basin
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Freshwater.

General References

Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Neptune, New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 240 pp., 63 pls. [102]

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [158]

Allen, G.R. & Cross, N.J. 1982. Rainbowfishes of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications 142 pp. figs. [60]

Larson, H.K. & Martin, K.C. 1990. Freshwater Fishes of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences Handbook Series Number 1. Darwin : Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 102 pp. 73 figs. [27]

Leggett, R. & Merrick, J.R. 1987. Australian Native Fishes for Aquariums. Artarmon : J.R. Merrick Publications 241 pp. 142 figs. [158]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part I. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 5: 1–144 [113] (as Melanotaenia nigrans, in part)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [172]

Wager, R. & Unmack, P.J. 2000. Fishes of the Lake Eyre Catchment of Central Australia. Brisbane : Department of Primary Industries and Queensland Fisheries Service 88 pp. [38]

Common Name References

Hungerford, R. 1981. Freshwater Fishing in Australia. Sydney : Jack Pollard Publishing Pty. Ltd. 108 pp. [74] (McDonald Ranges Rainbow Fish)

Larson, H.K. & Martin, K.C. 1990. Freshwater Fishes of the Northern Territory. Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences Handbook Series Number 1. Darwin : Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 102 pp. 73 figs. [26] (Desert Rainbowfish)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [172] (Desert Rainbow Fish)

History of changes