All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Small-scaled Nothobranch

Nothobranchius microlepis

Also known as small scaled nothobranch, small-scaled killifish, microlepis killifish, nothobranchius microlepis, n. microlepis, small scale notho, ノソブランキウス・ミクロレピス, 小鳞假鳃鳉

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An annual killifish from seasonal pools, the male has fine, small scales with a bluish to silvery body and reddish edging on the fins, while the female is plain brownish grey. It is kept by killifish enthusiasts for its unusual subtle colouring and the challenge of maintaining a short-lived annual species.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females; males are rival-prone

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae; some accept pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 2 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal lowlands of Kenya and southern Somalia

Breeding

Pairs spawn into a soft peat or coco fibre substrate, which is then removed, lightly dried and stored for several months before rewetting to hatch the fry. The long incubation and the need for careful moisture control make it trickier than many other Nothobranchius species.

Good to know

Naturally short-lived, so do not expect long life even with good care. Males can be aggressive to each other, and the species is rarely available outside killifish societies; check population codes to keep strains pure.