Cairnsichthys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cairnsichthys |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Atheriniformes |
| Family: | Melanotaeniidae |
| Subfamily: | Melanotaeniinae |
| Genus: | Cairnsichthys Allen, 1980 |
| Type species | |
| Rhadinocentrus rhombosomoides Nichols & Raven, 1828
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Cairnsichthys is a special group of rainbowfishes. These fish are known for their bright colors. They belong to a larger family of fish called Melanotaeniinae.
These unique fish are found only in certain freshwater streams. You can find them in eastern Queensland, which is in north-eastern Australia. This means they are "endemic" to that area, living nowhere else in the world.
Scientists first described this group of fish in 1928. At that time, it was thought to have only one species, making it a "monotypic" genus. However, in 2018, another species was discovered and added to the group.
Types of Cairnsichthys Rainbowfish
There are currently two known species of Cairnsichthys rainbowfish. Each one is special in its own way.
- Cairnsichthys bitaeniatus Allen, Hammer & Raadik, 2018 - This fish is also known as the Daintree rainbowfish.
- Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides (Nichols & Raven, 1928) - This species is often called the Cairns rainbowfish. It was the first one discovered in this group.
Where the Name Comes From
The name Cairnsichthys has a cool meaning! It is named after the city of Cairns in Australia. This city is close to where these fish live.
The second part of the name, ichthys, comes from the Greek word for "fish". So, Cairnsichthys basically means "Cairns fish".
