Madagascar Rainbowfish Identification Guide
Recognize the slender silver body, bold black lateral stripe, and orange-edged fins of this Madagascar native.
Read the full Madagascar Rainbowfish encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Elongated, slightly compressed body with a silvery base color and an olive-tinted back
- Single bold black horizontal stripe running from the gill cover straight through to the base of the tail
- Two separate dorsal fins, the second tall and pointed, set well back on the body
- Dorsal, anal, and forked caudal fins trimmed in yellow-orange, brighter and black-edged in mature males
- Grows to roughly 4-5 inches (10-13 cm), larger and leaner than most true rainbowfish
- Pointed snout and a slightly protruding lower jaw
Common look-alikes
- Australian Rainbowfish: deeper, more compressed body and lacks the single sharp black stripe, showing only faint striping instead
- Celebes Rainbowfish: has elongated thread-like fin rays that Madagascar Rainbowfish never develops
- Eastern Rainbowfish: shorter-bodied with a bold red rather than black lateral marking
Where you'll see one
Found only in fast-flowing, clear rivers and streams of eastern Madagascar, typically schooling in open water over sand or gravel. It tends to hold in the current rather than hiding in dense vegetation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize a Madagascar Rainbowfish at a glance?
Look for a slim silver fish with one crisp black stripe down its side and orange-edged, black-bordered fins.
How is it different from other striped rainbowfishes?
Its stripe is a single solid black line, unlike the multiple reddish bands seen in species such as the Banded Rainbowfish.