Celebes Rainbowfish

• ExerciseHigh

  A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment3–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Skin conditions

The Celebes Rainbowfish (Marosatherina ladigesi) is endemic to a small number of streams and karst springs around Maros in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, and reaches about 6 to 8 cm. Males develop elongated black and yellow rays in the second dorsal and anal fins, which trail behind them as they swim. Its restricted range makes it vulnerable in the wild, so captive-bred fish are strongly preferred. Keep a group of eight or more in a tank of 110 litres or more at 22-28C with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 and hard, alkaline, mineral-rich water. This is the point most keepers get wrong: it comes from hard karst water and declines in the soft acidic conditions many planted tanks run. Some keepers add a small amount of marine salt, reflecting its slightly brackish natural habitat. Feed fine flake, micro-pellets and frequent live or frozen daphnia, cyclops and baby brine. It is peaceful but timid, so pair it only with calm, similarly sized species.

• How active is a Celebes Rainbowfish?

  High. A busy, energetic swimmer — keep plenty of open swimming room.

• How much maintenance does a Celebes Rainbowfish need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Celebes Rainbowfish need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Celebes Rainbowfish a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Celebes Rainbowfish live?

  3–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Celebes Rainbowfish?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Skin conditions. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

Be the first to join this community!