Identification
The original diagnosis describes a narrow dark stripe along the side, another along the back and a vertical bar at the base of the tail. The fourth and fifth dorsal spines are elongated. Fine details of fin rays and head pores are also used in distinguishing this species.
Size and Weight
The male holotype measures 33.4 mm in standard length, about 1.3 inches. Standard length excludes the tail fin. This closely matches the rounded 3.3 cm maximum in species summaries. A verified maximum body weight was not located.
Habitat and Distribution
The type specimen came from a stream’s mangrove zone on Babelthuap, Palau. A later Japanese paper lists a specimen from Iriomote. Some early Solomon Islands material had uncertain collection data, so those records should not be treated as a precise local distribution map.
Natural Food and Fishing Context
Research on the genus documents tiny planktonic prey, especially copepods, but a separate diet analysis for Blackstripe Dartfish was not established here. No species-specific bait or lure recommendation is supported. Identification requires more than the general appearance of a small striped fish near mangroves.
A Stripe, Another Stripe, and a Bar
The side line alone is not enough: the stripe along the back and vertical tail-base bar complete the identification pattern. Those features are useful when distinguishing this fish from nearby relatives with stripes extending farther across the tail fin.
All Lakes With Blackstripe Dartfish
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Blackstripe Dartfish records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.