All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Neumann's Nothobranch

Nothobranchius neumanni

Also known as neumann's killifish, neumann's nothobranch, nothobranchius neumanni, neumanni killi, n. neumanni

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This is a small annual killifish. Males have pale bluish scales edged in reddish brown, which gives a net-like look, and the fins are spotted. Females are plain brownish grey. Keepers like it for its subtle colours and for its short, unusual life cycle, which comes from temporary pools.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

20 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females, or a small species group

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 12 months

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Tanzania (seasonal pools in the central plateau and Lake Victoria to Rufiji drainages)

Breeding

Pairs spawn into a layer of peat on the bottom. The peat is taken out, dried a little and kept damp for a few months while the eggs go through diapause, and then it is wetted again to hatch the fry. This is straightforward once you know how, but it needs patience and planning.

Good to know

Males can be rough with each other and with females, so give them cover and more than one female. The fish only live about a year, so you need to keep breeding them to hold on to a line, and you should keep population codes separate.