HomeFreshwater aquarium fishRainbowfish & killifishMalabar ricefish Malabar ricefish (Oryzias setnai) Scientific name: Oryzias setnai Kulkarni, 1940 The Malabar ricefish (Oryzias setnai) is a freshwater fish of the family Adrianichthyidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–29°C (75–84°F). Native range: Asia, near Gulf of Kutch to Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Malabar ricefish care at a glanceTemperature24–29°C (75–84°F) BiologyFound in estuaries, but can live temporarily in freshwater. Inhabits quiet rocks and corners of creeks and backwaters. Can withstand a wide range of salinity varying from 4.36 to 1.35%. Breeds easily throughout the year peak period during July and August. Larvicidal fish and eats mosquito larvae at the early instar stages. A suitable fish in malaria infected areas.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameOryzias setnaiFamilyAdrianichthyidae (Ricefishes)OrderBeloniformes (Needle fishes)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.0EnvironmentFreshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5 pelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAsia: near Gulf of Kutch to Trivandrum, Kerala, India.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial More rainbowfish & killifishStriped panchaxAplocheilus lineatusRedtail nothoNothobranchius guentheriArgentine pearlfishAustrolebias bellottiiBluefin killifishLucania goodeiFlagfishJordanella floridaeKamaka rainbowfishMelanotaenia kamakaSee all rainbowfish & killifish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026