Rhad Rainbow

Rhadinocentrus ornatus is a small (5-6 cm) freshwater fish species mainly restricted to the coastal ‘wallum’ habitats of eastern Australia, which is typified by soft, acidic and often tannin-stained water. They were originally collected from Moreton Island, a sand dune island off the Queensland coast in Moreton Bay. The type description of Rhadinocentrus ornatus was from six specimens collected from a pond on Moreton Island by the signal station operator at Cowan Cowan. They were described by Charles Tate Regan at the British Museum of Natural History in 1914. They are the only species currently recognised within the genus. In earlier times they were commonly known as the ‘Moreton Island Sunfish’ and were very popular with early native fish enthusiasts.

Rhadinocentrus ornatus is a small, slender and relatively elongated species, with two dorsal fins that are very close together; the first much smaller than the second. They exhibit considerable colour variation over their geographical range. Generally the body is semi-transparent with two rows of black scales in the mid-lateral region. The iridescent scales immediately below the dorsal fin and above the lateral line can be either red or metallic pale blue.

• Species – Rhadinocentrus ornatus
• Common Name – Rhad,
• Origin – Northern NT , QLD
• Diet – Omnivorous
• PH Range – 5.8 – 9
• Temperature – Tropical and Coldwater 11°c – 34°c
• Breed Type – Egg Scatterer
• Current Size – approximately 4cm (Grows to approximately 12cm)
• Sex – Un-sexed