Marosatherina Ladigesi

Datasheet

Behaviour:

The Celebes Rainbowfish is known for its very peaceful nature, making it suitable for many community aquariums, particularly alongside species that prefer hard water like similarly-sized rainbowfish, livebearers, and freshwater gobies. It thrives when kept in a shoal of at least 6-8 individuals, with males displaying their best colors in the presence of conspecifics. To encourage optimal coloration and behavior, it is recommended to provide 2-3 females per male.

Feeding and Diet:

An easily-fed species, the Celebes Rainbowfish readily accepts various dried, frozen, and live foods. To enhance its coloration, it is advisable to offer a varied diet that includes a mix of high-quality foods.

Reproduction & Dimorphism:

Breeding the Celebes Rainbowfish is relatively straightforward as it is an egg scatterer, although raising the fry can be challenging initially. Breeding tanks should have slightly hard, alkaline water with specific parameters, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and no substrate. Males, with their colorful extensions on the second dorsal and anal fins, display to attract females for spawning. The fry require meticulous care and specialized food such as infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii during the early stages of development.

Habitat and Distribution:

Endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Celebes Rainbowfish inhabits clear, slow-flowing streams around foothills and estuarine areas, preferring specific water conditions for optimal health and well-being.

Aquarium Setup:

An ideal tank setup for the Celebes Rainbowfish consists of a heavily planted environment to showcase its vibrant colors. Floating plants can be added to provide shade and create open swimming spaces. Maintaining high water quality is crucial, necessitating regular partial water changes. Although it can tolerate mildly brackish conditions, salt additions to the water are unnecessary for this species. (See table for specific water parameters).