TankBud

Madagascar rainbowfish

Bedotia madagascariensis

FreshwaterFish

Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotia madagascariensis)
Loiselle P. V., Rodriguez D. · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–90°F
23–32°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
3.3 in
8.5 cm
Minimum tank
45 gal
170 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bedotiidae
Origin
Madagascar

Overview

The Madagascar rainbowfish is a lively, peaceful schooling fish for the middle of a community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Much of what is sold as the Madagascar rainbowfish is actually its close relative Bedotia geayi. The two are easily mixed up in shops.

Caring for the Madagascar rainbowfish

Madagascar rainbowfish are strong swimmers that need room to move, so give a group at least 45 gal (170 L). Plant the sides and back with robust plants, and keep a long open lane down the center. Fine substrate, wood and rock suit them, with clean water and a steady, gentle current.

Keep the water at 73 to 90°F (23 to 32°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed a varied diet of flake or pellet, with frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Keep them in a group of six or more. They swim in the middle of the tank and suit an active community of other calm, similarly sized fish.

Males show more color in the fins than females, and in a group they show off their red-edged, forked tails. They scatter eggs among fine plants over a long spawning period, and the sticky eggs hang from the leaves until they hatch. Rearing the fry through their slow early stage makes breeding hard.

Good to know

The Madagascar rainbowfish, Bedotia madagascariensis, is not a true rainbowfish. It belongs to Bedotiidae, a small family of silverside relatives found nowhere on Earth except Madagascar.

In the wild

The Madagascar rainbowfish comes from the streams and rivers of eastern Madagascar. It lives there among plants and cover, in warm, flowing, well-oxygenated water that runs slightly acidic to neutral.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Madagascar rainbowfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Madagascar rainbowfish need?

A Madagascar rainbowfish needs at least 45 gal (170 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Madagascar rainbowfish need?

A Madagascar rainbowfish is comfortable at 73–90°F (23–32°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Madagascar rainbowfish eat?

A Madagascar rainbowfish eats a varied diet of flake or pellet. Add frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.

How big does a Madagascar rainbowfish get?

An adult Madagascar rainbowfish reaches about 3.3 in (8.5 cm).

Does a Madagascar rainbowfish need a group?

Yes. A Madagascar rainbowfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Madagascar rainbowfish from a female?

Males show more color in their fins than females. In a group, males show off their red-edged, forked tails.

How does a Madagascar rainbowfish breed?

Madagascar rainbowfish scatter eggs among fine plants over a long spawning period. The sticky eggs hang from the leaves until they hatch, and raising the slow-growing fry makes breeding hard.

Related species