Marosatherina ladigesi
The Marosatherina ladigesi or Sunbeam is a very beautiful, elegant, active and hardy gregarious fish that will become a real decoration in the aquarium. These fish are a rare species of rainbow fish. In nature, they can only be found in the waters of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The fish stay in areas densely overgrown with aquatic plants.
Marosatherina ladigesi has an elongated body, slightly compressed at the sides. The body and fins of the males are coloured yellow or blue. Especially contrasting coloration of males becomes during the mating season, when they compete with each other for the attention of females. The males' second dorsal and anal fins are elongated and fan-shaped. The females are generally smaller than the males and less colourful, but still just as attractive. The size of fish in the wild reaches 8 cm, while in aquariums they usually do not exceed 6 cm.
The Sunbeam is a peaceful fish. Keep these fish are recommended a group of at least 8-10 individuals, in the proportion of 1 male to 2-3 females. The more males in the aquarium, the more vivid coloration they will have. These fish can be kept in a common aquarium with other peaceable fish of similar size, as well as with invertebrates, which are large enough not to become prey to fish. Keep in mind that Aterina ladigezi may prey on dwarf shrimps, even though they have a small mouth. The fish are very active and curious. Their behavior will attract your attention for a long time.
The fish can be kept in an aquarium of 120 liters and larger, densely planted with a variety of plants, including floating on the water surface. The substrate can be anything, preferably of the darker varieties, as the coloration of the fish looks more effective against the darker substrate.
There is a misconception among many aquarists that Atherina ladigesi live in or need brackish water, however, we can say with absolute certainty that it is a fully freshwater species that is capable of living in brackish water, but this is not a requirement. They are very hardy and quickly adaptable fish.
Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 10-25°, pH 7,0-8,0. Need aeration, filtration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
The fish menu consists of high quality flake food, frozen and live Artemia nauplii, Daphnia and bloodworms. Sunfish are very timid fish, so the more aggressive eaters often compete with them for food, and care should be taken to ensure they get a portion of food. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Marosatherina ladigesi requires a spawning tank of about 50 liters. The substrate is not necessary. Only need to place a few bushes of small-leaved plants at the bottom, for example, richchia. The water level in the spawning tank should not exceed 20 cm.
Before planting in the spawning tank producers 5-7 days separate and abundantly fed a variety of food. The readiness of the females for spawning can be seen by their rounded abdomen.
The spawning tank is planted 2-3 males and 4-6 females. Spawning is quite long and sometimes lasts for several weeks. During this time, the fish spawn every day. During this period, the fish are fed only live food at least 2 times a day. The spawned eggs should preferably be collected and transferred to another aquarium with similar water parameters, as fry may already hatch, and fish can still spawn.
Fry are quite large and on the second day of life can already swim. Feed the fry live dust, after 8-10 days begin to give nauplii artemii. Feed issued 4 times a day. Rising young fish rather slowly.
Life expectancy Aterina ladigesi in aquarium conditions is 3-5 years.
