It is native to freshwater swamps and demersal or thickly vegetated areas of flowing waters, in tropical northern Australia and New Guinea.

[2] When reproduction takes place eggs are scattered among the leaves of submerged vegetation, and hatch after 7–10 days.

[3] The threadfin rainbowfish was described by Herman Meinkin in 1974 from types collected in Merauke, Irian Jaya, Indonesia.

[4] Meinken honoured the German aquarium fish trader Arthur Werner, who collected the type, in the specific name.

The male courts the female by posturing in front of her quickly raising then lowering the forward dorsal fin repeatedly.