The Celebes Rainbowfish (Marosatherina ladigesi) is a freshwater fish native to the rivers and lakes of Sulawesi (formerly known as Celebes) in Indonesia. It is a popular species in the aquarium trade due to its striking appearance and peaceful nature.
Key Features:
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Appearance:
- They have a slender, elongated body.
- Their body is translucent with a yellowish hue and is adorned with iridescent blue-green stripes along the sides.
- The fins are typically transparent but have yellow, black, or white accents.
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Size:
- Adults typically grow to about 6–8 cm (2.5–3 inches) in length.
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Behavior:
- They are peaceful and schooling fish, best kept in groups of six or more.
- Active swimmers that enjoy open spaces in the aquarium.
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Habitat:
- They thrive in clear, slow-moving waters with dense vegetation.
- Water conditions in their native habitat are soft to moderately hard, with a pH of 7.0–8.0 and a temperature of 24–28°C (75–82°F).
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Diet:
- Omnivorous; they feed on small insects, zooplankton, and algae in the wild.
- In aquariums, they accept high-quality flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia.
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Breeding:
- They are egg scatterers, often laying eggs among fine-leaf plants or moss.
- Eggs hatch in about 7–10 days, and fry should be fed infusoria or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
Compatibility:
Celebes Rainbowfish are compatible with other peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, and small catfish. Avoid housing them with aggressive or overly boisterous tank mates.
