All fish / Nothobranchiidae

White-margined Nothobranch

Nothobranchius albimarginatus

Also known as nothobranchius albimarginatus, white margin killifish, albimarginatus killi, white-margined killifish, nothobranchius albimarginatus kitonga, annual killifish, ノソブランキウス・アルビマルギナトゥス, 白边假鳃鳉

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This is a small annual killifish from temporary pools in coastal Tanzania. Males have a bluish body with red scale edging, a red tail, and pale white edges to the unpaired fins, which is where the name comes from. Females are plain brownish grey. Killifish hobbyists keep it for the bright males and its short, fascinating annual life cycle.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 2 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal Tanzania (Rufiji River area and nearby coastal plains)

Breeding

It spawns in soft substrate such as peat, laying eggs that must be stored slightly damp for a dry period of several months before they are wetted to hatch. It is fairly easy for anyone who already breeds annual killifish, but the egg incubation needs patience and careful timing.

Good to know

Males fight one another and can harass females, so give plenty of cover and do not keep several males in a small tank. It lives a short time, so keep strains going by breeding regularly, and keep collection codes with each population so they are not mixed.