Celebes rainbowfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Celebes rainbowfish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Marosatherina
|
| Species: |
ladigesi
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Celebes rainbowfish (Marosatherina ladigesi) is a beautiful and unique fish. It lives only in the waters around Sulawesi, an island in Indonesia. This fish is the only known type in its special group, or genus.
Contents
What Does the Celebes Rainbowfish Look Like?
These fish are quite small. Males usually grow to about 6 to 8 centimeters long. Females are a bit smaller, reaching 5 to 7 centimeters. Their bodies are thin and almost see-through. They have a cool blue stripe running along their sides.
How to Tell Males and Females Apart
It's easy to tell the difference between male and female Celebes rainbowfish. Males have longer, black fins on their backs and bellies. They are also usually a little darker in color than the females.
Where Do Celebes Rainbowfish Live?
The Celebes rainbowfish is found only near the town of Maros in Sulawesi. This is where the fish's group name, Marosatherina, comes from. Sadly, their numbers have gone down a lot. This is due to things like pollution and the business of selling them as pet fish.
Their Natural Home and Diet
These fish live in streams and estuaries. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. So, they can live in fresh water or slightly salty water. They like places with lots of oxygen in the water. Most of their day is spent hiding among plant leaves. There, they look for small worms, insects, or tiny bits of plants to eat.
Keeping Celebes Rainbowfish in an Aquarium
The Celebes rainbowfish is a calm and peaceful fish. It makes a good addition to a home aquarium. They grow to about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) long. They can eat special fish food and small live foods.
Ideal Water Conditions for Your Fish
These fish prefer water temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius (68–82 F). The water should be slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.0 to 7.5. They also like water that is moderately hard. It is important to keep their water clean. They are sensitive to poor water quality.
Breeding Celebes Rainbowfish
If the water conditions are just right, these fish might lay eggs often. They can even spawn for months without stopping! However, they sometimes eat their own eggs. The eggs usually hatch after about eleven days.
Why Is It Called the Celebes Rainbowfish?
The name of the fish's group, Marosatherina, comes from two parts. Maros is the name of the village where the first fish of this type was found. Atherina is another group of fish called silversides. The second part of its name, ladigesi, honors a German fish expert. His name was Werner Ladiges, and he was the one who collected the first fish of this species.
