All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Blue Notho

Nothobranchius patrizii

Also known as blue notho, patrizi's notho, patrizii killifish, nothobranchius patrizi, blue nothobranchius, ノソブランキウス・パトリッツィ, 帕氏假鳃鳉

A small annual killifish whose males are metallic blue with red scale edging and a red and black banded tail, while females are plain brownish grey. It is kept for its striking male colour and its fascinating seasonal life cycle.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

20 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

6 months to 1 year

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal Somalia and Kenya (lower Juba and Tana basins)

Breeding

An annual species that spawns into a peat substrate; the eggs are stored in slightly damp peat for around two to four months before rewetting triggers hatching. It is not difficult for keepers familiar with Nothobranchius, though fry need tiny live foods.

Good to know

Males are quarrelsome with each other and the species is naturally short lived, so plan for regular breeding to keep a line going. Best kept in a species tank as they rarely accept flake food.