melastigmus, Aplocheilus McClelland [J.] 1839:301, 427, Pl. 42 (fig. 3) [Asiatic Researches v. 19 (pt 2); ref. 2923] Calcutta, India. No types known. The original spelling in 3 places was melastigmus in Aplocheilus with the derivation melas (black) and stigma (spot). An indeclinable noun. •Valid as Oryzias melastigmus (McClelland 1839) [often seen as melastigma] -- (Uwa & Parenti 1988:159 [ref. 6852], Ataur Rahman 1989:63 [ref. 24860], Pethiyagoda 1991:178 [ref. 20075], Talwar & Jhingran 1991:745 [ref. 20764], Rema Devi 1993:358 [ref. 24007], Rema Devi & Ilango 1993:248 [ref. 24017], Indra 1994:421 [ref. 24015], Rema Devi et al. 1996:140 [ref. 24021], Rema Devi & Raghunathan 1999:157 [ref. 24759], Rema Devi & Raghunathan 1999:172 [ref. 24760], Rema Devi et al. 1999:160 [ref. 24758], Menon 1999:266 [ref. 24904], Ataur Rahman 2003:78 [ref. 31338]). •Not an Oryzias, based mainly or entirely on young of Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton 1822) -- (Roberts 1998:214 [ref. 23471]). •An Oryzias -- (K. Lazara, pers. comm. 9/12/08). •Synonym of Oryzias dancena (Hamilton 1822) with question -- (Kottelat 2013:288 [ref. 32989]). Current status: Synonym of Oryzias dancena (Hamilton 1822). Adrianichthyidae: Oryziinae. Habitat: freshwater, brackish.