Madagascar Rainbowfish

Madagascar Rainbowfish (Bedotia Geayi)

The Madagascar Rainbowfish is an elegant, slender-bodied fish native to the rivers of Madagascar. These active swimmers display a stunning iridescent silver body with bright yellow-gold bands on the dorsal and anal fins. Males exhibit a more intense coloration, while females have a more muted appearance.

Madagascar Rainbowfish typically grow to around 4 inches in length and should be kept in schools of at least 6-8 individuals to encourage natural behavior and reduce stress. These peaceful fish are well-suited for community tanks with other non-aggressive species of similar size. They can be housed with other rainbowfish, smaller cichlids, tetras, and peaceful bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish.

Madagascar Rainbowfish are omnivorous, thriving on a varied diet that includes high-quality flake food, micro-pellets, and live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. A diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health.

Rainbowfish are active swimmers and require an aquarium with plenty of room to move about and abundant plant life to give them a sense of security. Their natural habitat features various leggy plants like Dwarf Sagittaria, Vallisneria, and Anubias, which are easy for the fish to navigate through. When arranging the plants, ensure to leave unobstructed open swimming areas. A substrate consisting of rocks or sand with driftwood can help recreate their native environment, but the tank floor is of lesser importance, as they usually swim in the middle levels. The addition of floating plants to diffuse the light entering the tank also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

Maintaining a clean and well-oxygenated tank is crucial for Madagascar Rainbowfish, as their water should be free from nitrates and ammonia. They prefer moderate water currents and appreciate a substantial water flow, making a power filter an excellent choice for their aquarium.

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended, with 40 gallons or larger in community aquariums. The ideal water parameters for these fish include a pH of 6.5-7.5, a hardness of 5-12 dGH, and a temperature range of 72-79°F (22-26°C).

Do not add this fish to a biologically immature aquarium, as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.