Madagascar rainbowfish

Bedotia madagascariensis

The Madagascar rainbowfish has become so rare that there are probably more of them living in aquariums than in their natural habitat in Madagascar.

Red List

Endangered

The Madagascar rainbowfish was long mistakenly referred to in the aquarium trade as the Zona (Bedotia geayi). It was not until 2003 that it was realised that it was, in fact, the Madagascar rainbowfish that was frequently kept in aquariums.

Apart from genetic differences, the Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotia madagascariensis) lacks a red spot that is conspicuous on the chin of male Zona cichlids (Bedotia geayi).

The Madagascar rainbowfish is under serious threats in its natural habitat. Due to the invasive snakehead fish, overfishing and deforestation – which leads to a lack of shade – its population and distribution have declined significantly. The Madagascar rainbowfish is bred extensively for the aquarium trade in North America and South-East Asia and can also be found in some European zoos.