Lake Wanam rainbowfish

Glossolepis wanamensis

Endemic Melanotaeniid Fish of Freshwater Basins

Tropical
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
Oceania
Fusiform
Small
Tropical fish

The Lake Wanam rainbowfish (Glossolepis wanamensis) is a critically endangered species of rainbowfish in the subfamily Melanotaeniinae. It is endemic to Lake Wanam near Lae in Papua New Guinea. It has virtually disappeared from the small lake (2–3 km in diameter) due to competition from introduced, non-native tilapias, but captive populations exist.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Silversides
Family: Melanotaeniidae
Genus: Glossolepis
Maximum length: 9 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Oceania: known only from Lake Wanam, a roughly circular lake situated on a small plateau 24 km west of Lae, Papua New Guinea.
Conservation status: CRCritically Endangered

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