Melanotaenia susii

This species is distinguished from its congeners in the Birds Head region by the following characters: D IV-VI + I,13-16; A I, 23-27; lateral scales 38-39; transverse scales 10-11; predorsal scales 17-20; cheek scales 16-20; total gill rakers on first arch 19; body compressed with a long snout length, 9.2-10.2% of SL; thin interorbital width, 8.0-8.4% of SL; predorsal length long, 50.4-52.2% of SL; pectoral fin length short, 17.6-19.0% of SL; pelvic fin length long, 19.8-24.4% of SL; first dorsal fin with long spine length, 11.4-12.4% of SL; dorsal fin base moderately long, 37.2-39.0% of SL; anal fin base long, 41.1-45.6% of SL; dorsal fin origin is vertically projected behind anal origin, between 3rd and 5th anal soft ray. Colouration: a marked red margin stripe on dorsal fins; 2-5 vertical bars are extending across the entire body depth (Ref. 103156).

Dorsal spines (total): 4 - 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 16; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 23 - 27

Inhabits clear, shallow and slow flowing water, over limestone boulder and muddy substrate.Physical water parameters on May 2007 at the type locality: water temperature 26.0°C; pH 7.7; conductivity 330 µS; and the chemical parameters (in mg/L): K: 0.01; Ca: 45.70; Mg: 2.17; Na: 0.27; Mn: 0.00; PO4: 0.09; SO4: 0.49; HCO3: 181; CO3: 0.0; Cl: 2.07; Cd: 0.0; Ni: 0.03 (Ref. 103156).

Collected from the type locality which has clear, shallow and slow flowing water. The creek flows over limestone boulder and muddy bottom with many dead tree branches and is bordered by dense forest. Maximum length based on type specimen, to be replaced with a better reference (Ref. 103156).