All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Bluefin Notho

Nothobranchius rachovii

Also known as rachow's notho, rainbow notho, bluefin nothobranchius, rachovi, rachovii killifish, notho rachovii, beira killifish, rachow's nothobranch, ノトブランキウス・ラコビー, 蓝鳍琴尾鳉, 拉氏假鳃鳉

Males are some of the most colourful killifish, with blue scales edged in red or orange and blue fins banded with red and black, while females are plain brownish grey. It is kept for this striking colour and for its unusual annual life cycle, best in a small species tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

20 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; dry food often refused

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 2 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mozambique (lower Zambezi, Pungwe and Buzi basins and coastal plains)

Breeding

An annual killifish that spawns into soft peat on the bottom; the eggs are then stored slightly damp for around three to six months before wetting triggers hatching. It breeds readily, but managing the dry incubation takes patience and care.

Good to know

Males are quarrelsome with each other and may harass females, so give cover and avoid keeping several males in a small tank. Expect a short life even with good care.