The chequered rainbowfish (M. s. inornata) is found in northern Australia from the Mary River east to the Cape York Peninsula and south to the Jardine River, it is also found on some of the Torres Strait Islands.

[5] The desert rainbowfish (M. s. tatei) is endemic to the drainage basin of Lake Eyre.

[6] Melanotaenia splendida are normally found close to the surface of the deeper pools in small freshwater streams, they also occur in lakes and reservoirs.

These fishes are frequently recorded in large schools and these can be found in water varying from clear to turbid and which may or may not have extensive vegetation.

The larvae hatch after around a week and are around 4mm long and they have a reduced yolk sac and fully formed mouth and pectoral fins.