Celebes Rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Description
The Celebes Rainbowfish is a strikingly beautiful species, known for its vibrant coloration and peaceful nature. Males are particularly colorful, exhibiting a shimmering mix of turquoise, blue, and green, with iridescent hues along the body and a hint of orange on the fins. Females are generally more subdued in color, with a more silvery body, but still show a subtle iridescence. The body is elongated and streamlined, which makes them graceful swimmers. These fish are active and social, preferring to be kept in schools, which not only makes them feel secure but also displays their full coloration when swimming together. They are peaceful and can be housed with other small, non-aggressive species, making them ideal for community aquariums.
Habitat Origin
Native to the freshwater rivers and lakes of Sulawesi, Indonesia, particularly in the Celebes and surrounding regions. Celebes Rainbowfish are typically found in clear, slow-moving waters with moderate to low water flow, where they swim among submerged plants and rocky substrates. These fish are accustomed to warm, well-oxygenated waters with slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Aquarium
Ideal Number in Aquarium: At least 6 individuals, as they are schooling fish and feel more secure in groups.
Favorite Food
Celebes Rainbowfish are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods. They can be fed high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. They will also graze on small algae and plant matter in the aquarium, so supplementing their diet with blanched vegetables like zucchini or spinach is beneficial. A balanced diet helps maintain their vibrant coloration and promotes overall health.
Behavior:
Celebes Rainbowfish are peaceful, active swimmers that thrive in schools. They are not aggressive and do well with other small, peaceful species. These fish are social and feel more secure when kept in groups, where they display their natural schooling behavior. They are typically seen in the middle to upper regions of the aquarium, darting through plants and decorations. While they are active, they are generally calm and won’t cause trouble with tankmates. They can also tolerate slight variations in water conditions but do best in stable environments with clean, well-filtered water.
Special Care:
Celebes Rainbowfish are hardy but thrive best in stable water conditions. Regular water changes, good filtration, and maintaining slightly acidic to neutral pH are important to keep them healthy. A well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas is ideal for them. As they are schooling fish, they should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals to ensure they feel secure and exhibit their natural social behavior. Since they are relatively peaceful, they require tankmates that are not overly aggressive or large.
Compatibility with Other Fish:
Yes, Celebes Rainbowfish are compatible with many peaceful species. They can be housed with other small, non-aggressive fish such as tetras, rasboras, and peaceful catfish. They are also suitable for tanks with shrimp and snails. Larger or more aggressive fish should be avoided, as these may intimidate or harm the rainbowfish. Celebes Rainbowfish do best in peaceful community setups with ample space for swimming.
Breeding Setup
Use a separate breeding tank (100-liter/26-gallon ideal) to control water conditions and reduce aggression, although breeding can occur in peaceful community tanks if conditions are optimal. Maintain water parameters at pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 24–28°C, and GH 5–12 dGH. Use gentle filtration with low flow to avoid stressing fish. Provide a fine substrate (sand or gravel) and live plants such as Java moss, Hornwort, or Anubias for egg attachment and fry shelter. Floating plants like duckweed help simulate natural shaded environments. Moderate lighting mimics their natural habitat of clear but partially shaded waters.
Conditioning for Breeding
Feed a varied, protein-rich diet including high-quality flakes, live foods (brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms), and frozen mysis shrimp. Regular 25% weekly water changes keep water clean and stimulate breeding readiness.
Spawning
Celebes Rainbowfish are egg-scatterers. Males court females by displaying vivid blue and red colors. Females lay 50–150 sticky eggs on plants, rocks, or glass, which males fertilize afterward. Remove adults post-spawning to protect eggs from predation.
Fry Care
Eggs hatch within 24–48 hours. Fry stay near hatching sites, absorbing yolk sacs before swimming freely. Feed free-swimming fry infusoria, liquid fry food, or microscopic algae initially, then introduce baby brine shrimp or microscopic live foods. Gradually offer finely crushed flakes or small pellets as they grow. Maintain water quality with small daily water changes (10–15%), keep temperature stable at 24–28°C, and monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Important Notes
Celebes Rainbowfish mature at 6 to 12 months. Males are slimmer and more colorful, especially during courtship, while females are larger and rounder when gravid. To reduce stress and improve breeding success, maintain stable water parameters, avoid overcrowding, and ensure a peaceful tank environment. Sudden changes or aggressive tankmates can hinder breeding.