Celebes Rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Also known as: Celebes rainbow, Celebes sailfin
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 7-8 cm (2.75-3.1 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 75 litres (20 gallons)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle-and-top
- Diet: omnivore
- Minimum group size: 6
- Difficulty: intermediate
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 22–28°C
- pH: 7–8
- Hardness (GH): 179–357 ppm (10–20 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
An elegant, glassy fish from the streams of Sulawesi, the celebes rainbowfish is a smaller rainbow with a pale, almost translucent body lit by yellow and electric-blue fin edges, the males carrying tall, flowing dorsal and anal fins. Reaching only 7 to 8cm, it is a peaceful, delicate-looking schooling fish that is hardier than it appears once settled, but it has two firm needs: hard, alkaline water, since it does poorly in soft, acidic conditions, and a mature, stable tank, as it dislikes swings in water quality. Keep a group of at least six in a planted tank with open swimming space and a secure lid, as it jumps. Its hard-water preference suits the tap water across much of Australia. A refined, slightly unusual schooler for a peaceful hard-water community.
Tankmates
A peaceful, slightly delicate schooler for a calm, hard-water community, best in a group of six or more with similarly peaceful fish such as Pacific blue-eyes, forktail blue-eyes, other small rainbows, livebearers, and corydoras. It wants hard, alkaline, stable water and is intolerant of ammonia and nitrite spikes, so add it only to a mature tank. Avoid boisterous or fin-nipping tankmates such as tiger barbs and bettas, which outcompete and stress it. Keep a secure lid, as it jumps.
Compatible with
- Pacific Blue Eye
- Forktail Blue Eye
- Turquoise Rainbowfish
- Gold Barb
- Platy
- Bronze Corydoras
- Nerite Snail
Avoid keeping with
- Betta
- Tiger Barb
- Fin Nippers
- Large Cichlids
Common Problems
- poor health in soft, acidic water
- sensitivity to ammonia and nitrite in an immature tank
- jumping from open tanks
- being outcompeted or stressed by boisterous tankmates
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-10-13