Species
Eastern Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida
Tier 5Eating3/10ultralight tackleQLDWANT
0 waypoints6–10 cm (max 14 cm) typical
Overview: about eastern rainbowfish
Small native rainbowfish of northern Australian rivers, common across QLD and NT. Tiny but stunning; mostly seen by fly-fishers and bait-gatherers. Excellent saratoga and barra bait.
Biology: Eastern Rainbowfish size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Creek, River
- Typical size
- 6–10 cm (max 14 cm)
- Weight
- 0.01–0.04 kg
- Depth range
- 0–3 m
- Diet
- insects, zooplankton
- Global range
- Northern Australia, New Guinea
How to target: Eastern Rainbowfish angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- small flies, mostly bait
Recent community catches: anglers who caught eastern rainbowfish
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More information: eastern rainbowfish references & sources
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