Celebes Rainbowfish | Telmatherina ladigesi
Rainbowfish / Pseudomugilinae / Celebes Rainbowfish
Profile: Celebes Rainbowfish, Celebes Sailfish
Telmatherina ladigesi Synonyms: None
Physical description: The Celebes Rainbowfish has a slender, elongated body with lateral compression. There are two dorsal fins, the first being very small. The first rays of the second dorsal fin and anal fin develop into long, thread-like appendages. Males are yellow-brown in color with blue-green iridescence. An iridescent blue to green stripe extends laterally from the caudal fin to the gill cover. The first dorsal fin is amber colored while the other fins are yellowish. The first rays of the second dorsal and anal fins are black. The edges of the caudal fin are yellow with white ends. The rest of the fin is black. The colors of females are subdued and their fins are shorter.
Size/Length: To 3" (7.5 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Indonesia; in slow-moving water in the foothills of Sulawesi (Celebes), an island located west of Borneo and east of New Guinea
S: middle
Aquarium: 28" (70 cm) or 20-25 gallons (75 L). The tank should have densely planted areas, but also have open swimming areas. Provide a partial cover of floating plants to subdue the overhead lighting. The tank should be in a location to receive morning sun. Use a fine gravel substrate. The water should be well-aerated.
Water chemistry: pH 7-8 (7.1), 10-25 dH (14), 70-81°F (21-27°C). A 1% addition of salt is recommended. This can be accomplished by adding 7.5 TSP of salt/ 10 gallons (10 g/10 L)
Social behavior: A peaceful, schooling fish recommended for community tanks with fish that can tolerate brackish water. Keep this lively fish in groups of five or more.
Suggested companions: Glass fish, Livebearers, Halfbeaks, Bumblebee fish
FOOD: Prefers floating foods. Flakes; small pellets; live; aquatic and terrestrial insects, brine shrimp, insect larvae, Tubifex
Sexual differences: Males have larger, more elaborate fins and better coloration.
Breeding techniques: Use cool water with a temperature of 70-73°F (21-23°C). After courtship, the pair will spawn among plant leaves. Spawning takes place of a number of days to a number of weeks. The first batch of eggs are laid among the plants and number 30-50. The successive batches are laid with fewer eggs. After each laying, the eggs should be removed as the pair will consume them. The eggs hatch in 10-14 days. Raise the fry on crushed flake food and small live foods. The fry hang just below the water surface. They grow very slowly, but reach maturity at 7 months.
Breeding potential: 7. Breeding the Celebes Rainbowfish is moderately difficult.
Remarks: This fish is very sensitive to changes in water properties. When adding the Celebes Rainbowfish to a tank, always allow adequate transfer acclimation time. Wild-caught specimen are very delicate and often live for only a short time. This fish needs frequent partial water changes to prosper.
Difficulty of care: 6. The Celebes Rainbowfish is sensitive to water conditions.