It grows to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) standard length.

It is commonly found in the Markham, Ramu, and Sepik Rivers; their preferred habitat includes clear rainforest streams, swamps, pools, and lagoons abundant in vegetation and submerged logs.

[2] The New Guinea rainbowfish is a peaceful and adaptable rainbowfish species that grows to 14 cm.

It favors a pH of 7.0, hard water: (100–150 mg/L) and a temperature of 21–28 C (70 to 82 F).

It will eat small live foods and prepared diets.