The Celebes rainbowfish is a delicate, shimmering freshwater fish endemic to streams on Sulawesi, Indonesia. Habitat alteration and a restricted range have left it vulnerable, though captive breeding supports the aquarium hobby.
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Small fish ~7 cm with translucent body and yellow-edged fins.
Lifespan
3–5 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
💧 Freshwater
Family
Telmatherinidae
Genus
Marosatherina
Part of the Rainbowfish
Iridescent, peaceful shoaling fish from Australasia and Sulawesi prized for their shifting colors; they shine in mature, well-planted aquariums kept in groups.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Shoal community
29 gal / 110 L long
Marosatherina ladigesi is a small (3 in) graceful schooler. 29-gal long is the practical minimum for a group of 6+, with hard slightly alkaline water and gentle flow. Peaceful and shy — pair with calm tankmates.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Planted shoal display
40 gal / 151 L long planted
40-gal long planted with a shoal of 8+, driftwood, fine sand, and dim front lighting. Males display fin extensions during courtship in well-kept groups.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Sulawesi-style biotope
55 gal+ / 208 L+ biotope
Sulawesi-style biotope with hard alkaline water, driftwood, and a large mixed-sex shoal of 10–12. Best fin colour and full breeding display.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Fish eggs are small, translucent spheres, often laid in clutches on plants, substrate, or in a nest — or carried/brooded by a parent in livebearing and mouth-brooding species. A dark eye spot and the curled embryo become visible inside as development progresses.
Photo coming soon
Fry
Newly hatched fry are tiny and semi-transparent, frequently still carrying a yolk sac that fuels them before they feed freely. They lack full fin structure and adult coloration, staying near cover until they can swim and forage on their own.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles look like miniature adults but with developing fins and muted or different markings; many species shift pattern and color as they mature. Growth is rapid at this stage given clean water and steady feeding.
Adult
Adults show the species' full size, finnage, and mature coloration, and are sexually mature. Many fish develop sex-specific differences in size, color, or fin shape, which can intensify during breeding.
Habitat & enclosure
Native to clear, flowing freshwater and slightly brackish lowland streams of southern Sulawesi, a limited and increasingly disturbed range. Pollution, water extraction, and introduced species pressure wild populations. Captive-bred fish are available for hobbyists; choosing them over wild-caught reduces collection pressure. It suits gently planted, well-filtered freshwater aquaria with conspecifics.
Substrate
Dark fine gravel or sand shows off the iridescent body and helps the fish feel secure. Plant the margins and background densely with fine-leaved species while keeping the center open for shoaling and display.
Equipment & setup
Heater, gentle filtration (sponge or baffled flow), and good lighting to highlight the iridescence and support plant growth. A tight lid prevents jumping. Buffering substrate or crushed coral can help maintain the hard, alkaline water they prefer.
Diet
A micro-predator and omnivore taking tiny invertebrates and prepared foods in the aquarium. Stable, clean water with gentle flow keeps it in good condition.
Behavior & temperament
A peaceful schooling fish, males display by flicking their delicate dorsal and anal fins, which carry a striking yellow margin and filamentous extensions. Its beauty made it a hobby favorite, which in turn supports captive-breeding that lessens demand for wild stock.
Health
Somewhat less forgiving than many rainbowfish; intolerant of nitrate, ammonia, and unstable parameters, and does poorly in soft, acidic water. Best added to a fully cycled, established tank. Susceptible to fin and bacterial issues in soft or dirty water. Maintain hardness and do frequent partial water changes.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Provide hard, alkaline, scrupulously clean water and a peaceful tank — this is where most keepers go wrong. A morning side-light dramatically enhances the blue shimmer. To breed, condition with live foods and use a spawning mop; eggs hatch in 8-12 days and fry need infusoria-grade foods.
Reviewed and signed off by: KinStation Editorial — conservation profile (pending DVM/biologist review)
