The Celebes rainbowfish is a delicate, semi-transparent species with shimmering blue highlights and yellow-edged fins, the males sporting elongated sail-like dorsal and anal rays. A peaceful shoaler that thrives in hard, alkaline freshwater.
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Small: a slender, translucent-bodied fish reaching about 7-8 cm (3 in).
Lifespan
3–5 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Indonesia (Maros region, Sulawesi)
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
Endemic to streams and the lower reaches of rivers around Maros, Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia. Keep in a quiet, mature aquarium of at least 75-110 L (20-30 gal) with gentle flow, fine-leaved plants, and open swimming space. Water: 22-28 C (72-82 F), pH 7.0-8.0, medium-hard to hard. This is a true freshwater fish: it tolerates mildly brackish water but does not require added salt, and is best kept in fresh, hard, alkaline water. Sensitive to organic pollution — pristine water is key.
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
Micropredator on small invertebrates. Offer small flake and micro-pellets plus regular frozen/live daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, and grindal worms. Small mouths require appropriately sized foods; live foods bring out the best color and finnage in males.
Behavior & temperament
Peaceful, active mid-water shoaler. Keep in groups of eight or more — males display and spar harmlessly, extending their sail fins to impress females and rivals. Easily outcompeted by boisterous tankmates, so pair only with similarly gentle species. Not handleable.
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.
