t. Melanotaenia multisquamata n.sp. 



D'. I. 4; D'-. I. 9— lO; A. I. 19—20(21); P. I. 13—14; V. I. 5; 

 L.l. 37—40; L.tr. 13—14- 



Dorsal profile evenly convex, in older specimens much more 

 elevated than in young ones. Ventral profile convex, especially 

 so in older specimens. Height 2.5 — 2.8, 3.2 — 3.5 in length 

 with caudal. Head 3.2 — ^.y, 4.2 — 4.6 in length with caudal. 

 Eye 3.2 — 3.7, less than snout and than interorbital space, 1.4 — 1.6 

 in postorbital part of head. Mouthopening with a very slight 

 downward curve in the middle, when seen in front. Jaws equal. 

 Mouthopening reaching to about half length of snout. A row 

 of strong conical teeth in the upper jaw, followed by smaller 

 ones inside, especially well developed near the symphysis. 

 Lower jaw with similar small teeth. A transverse patch of 

 small teeth on vomer. Small teeth on palatines and on base 

 of tongue. Subocular part of cheeks with two rows of scales. 

 Large scales on operculum, excepting the superior ones, which 

 are small. First dorsal separated by 24 — 31 scales from occiput. 

 Spine of first dorsal strong, longer than postorbital part of 

 head, somewhat shorter than that of second dorsal, which is still 

 stronger and more curved. Anal spine rather strong, curved, 

 shorter than postorbital part of head, about equal to length 

 of operculum. Length of base of anal longer than distance be- 

 tween origin of first dorsal and end of second dorsal. Origin 

 of first dorsal somewhat behind that of anal. Second dorsal 

 and especially anal very high, the longest rays of anal as long 

 as head, often much longer and almost equal to height of 

 body. Pectorals not as long as head, but much longer than 

 head without snout. Ventrals as long as head without snout. 

 Caudal peduncle 1.5 times as long as high. Caudal forked. 

 Scales conspicuously crenulated at their hindborder. Colour of 

 preserved specimens pinkish, some rows of scales of the sides 

 with more or less conspicuous dark pigmentation. First dorsal 

 dusky. Distal part of second dorsal, anal and ventrals dusky 

 or blackish. Pectorals and caudal hyaline. Length 140 mm. 



Habitat: North New Guinea (Idenburg river!), collected 

 by Jhr. W. C. VAN Heurn. 



2. Melanotaenia dumasi M. Web. 



Melanotaenia Dumasi Max Weber, Nova Guinea V. Livr. 2, 1908, p. 240. — - 

 Nova Guinea IX. Livr. 4, 191 3, p. 558. 



