Celebes Rainbow Fish (Marosatherina ladigesi)

Celebes Rainbow Fish Marosatherina ladigesi
Name	Celebes Rainbow Fish
Name Lat.	Marosatherina ladigesi
Synonym	Telmatherina ladigesi
Family	Rainbowfishes
Family lat.	Telmatherinidae
Order	Silversides
Order lat.	Atheriniformes
Origin	Sulawesi
Habitat	Streams
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.0-8.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group, school
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	3-4 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	5-7 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Hardness	10-25 °dH
Aquarium	~ 120 l
US Units
Size	2"-2.8"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Hardness	178-445 ppm
Aquarium	~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

The Celebes sunray fish are found exclusively (endemically) in the south of the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia). They live there in clear, slow-flowing streams and small rivers with partly dense underwater vegetation as well as in the estuaries.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense background and edge planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and plenty of swimming space. A dark substrate of sand or fine gravel, some floating plants (e.g. Rizzia) and clear, slightly alkaline water as well as a weak current is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they need some vegetable food, such as algae leaves or commercial green food (spirulina, kelp)

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are lively and swimming fish. At least 6-8, but preferably more animals should be kept together, with the number of females predominating. They are often quarrelsome in groups that are too small. They can be well socialized with rainbowfish of similar size, but also with other lively fish.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The male is larger, more colorful and has a much longer extended anal and second dorsal fin.

Reproduction and breeding

They are free spawners, which during the reproductive period daily in the morning (morning sun) deposit their eggs with adhesive filaments on fine-leaved plants. The fry hatch after 5-10 days. The parents are spawn predators.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii, infusoria). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.

Important

They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered

Adding a little sea salt to the aquarium water can contribute to the well-being of the animals. They show their most beautiful coloration by feeding with live food

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF