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
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bedotiidae
Origin
Madagascar

Overview

Madagascar rainbowfish are lively, peaceful schoolers that do best in a group of six or more, where males show off the red-edged, forked tails that mark the species. They swim in the middle of the tank and suit an active community of other calm, similarly sized fish. They are strong swimmers and appreciate room to move, along with a varied diet of flake or pellet, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Plant the sides and back and keep a long open lane down the center. Aim for a tank around 170 liters or larger.

In the wild

This rainbowfish comes from the streams and rivers of eastern Madagascar, where it lives in flowing, well-oxygenated water among plants and cover. Those waters are warm and run slightly acidic to neutral, matching a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5 and a broad recorded temperature range of roughly 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. Recreate it with fine substrate, wood and rock, robust plants around the edges, and clean water with a steady gentle current.

Good to know

Bedotia madagascariensis is not a true rainbowfish but a member of Bedotiidae, a small family of silverside relatives found only on Madagascar. It grows to around 8.5 centimeters, with males showing more color in the fins than females. It scatters eggs among fine plants over a long spawning period, and the sticky eggs hang from plant leaves until they hatch. Rearing the fry through their slow early stage makes breeding hard.

Did you know

Much of what is sold as the Madagascar rainbowfish is actually its close relative Bedotia geayi, and the two are easily mixed up in shops. Both belong to a family of fishes found nowhere on Earth except Madagascar.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

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.

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.

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