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). Oryzias is masculine, so we are unsure of the gender intended by McClelland. •Valid as Oryzias melastigma (McClelland 1839) -- (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.