Celebes Rainbowfish

Marosatherina ladigesi

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Telmatherinidae

📍 Sulawesi, Indonesia

The celebes rainbowfish is a slender, elegant species with a translucent yellowish body, vivid blue-yellow finnage and elongated fin rays giving it a delicate, almost lacy appearance. It is an older hobby fish with a devoted following. It prefers moderately hard water and calm, well-oxygenated tanks with dense planting.

Size3"

Min Tank20g

School6+

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Celebes rainbowfish are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms, supplemented with high-quality micro pellets and flake foods. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Include occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina-based foods to ensure balanced nutrition.

Behavior

These are active, peaceful schooling fish that display their best colors and behavior when kept in groups of 8 or more. They occupy the mid-water column and are constantly in motion, darting gracefully through planted areas. Males may display mild aggression toward each other, but this is rarely harmful; they are excellent community fish that do not bother other peaceful species.

Breeding

Breeding Celebes rainbowfish in captivity is moderately difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require very specific conditions including soft, slightly acidic water, dense fine-leaved plants for egg scattering, and stable temperatures around 26-27°C. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods.

Tank Mates

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions

excellent

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eaters that occupy the bottom zone and thrive in the same moderately hard, neutral to slightly alkaline water

excellent

Rummy Nose Rasbora

Compatible schooling fish with similar size and peaceful nature, though prefer slightly softer water

good

Red Cherry Shrimp

Small shrimp that add biological interest; may occasionally be nipped but generally safe in planted tanks

good

Anubias Barteri

Hardy plant that provides shelter and security for rainbowfish without being uprooted by their active swimming

excellent

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 10-14 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure excellent filtration and oxygenation

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Cloudy eyes, open sores, loss of color, torn fins, behavioral changes

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain pristine water conditions and increase aeration

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, clamped fins, weight loss, visible parasites on gills

Treatment

Treat with anti-parasitic medication following label instructions, increase water changes, maintain optimal water parameters to support immune function