HomeFreshwater aquarium fishGuppies & livebearersRainbow characodon Rainbow characodon (Characodon lateralis) Scientific name: Characodon lateralis G?nther, 1866 The Rainbow characodon (Characodon lateralis) is a freshwater fish of the family Goodeidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–27°C (64–81°F). Native range: North America, Durango, Mexico. Rainbow characodon care at a glanceTemperature18–27°C (64–81°F) BiologyInhabits clear springs with plant growth. Feeds on algae.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameCharacodon lateralisFamilyGoodeidae (Splitfins)OrderCyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length4.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 demersalClimateSubtropicalDistributionNorth America: Durango, Mexico.Conservation status (IUCN)Endangered (EN) (A1abe+2be, B1+2ab)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.4; Fec=5-20; gestation 55 days) More guppies & livebearersBold characodonCharacodon audaxBluetail goodeaAtaeniobius toweriButterfly splitfinAmeca splendensPoecilia wingeiMollyPoecilia sphenopsSouthern platyfishXiphophorus maculatusSee all guppies & livebearers SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026