Bluefin notho
A small annual killifish from Mozambique kept in aquaria.
The bluefin notho is a freshwater fish native to Mozambique. Enthusiasts keep them in tanks because they grow from eggs and complete their life cycle quickly.
- Grows to a maximum length of six centimetres.
- Lives in temporary pools that dry up annually.
- Eggs survive dry periods buried in the mud.
- Mature in approximately twelve weeks.
- Popular in the aquarium hobby for easy breeding.
What it is
This species is a small freshwater fish reaching six centimetres. Males display bright orange and blue colours, while females remain neutral. A darker variant called KNP Black exists from South Africa, and a red-headed form with turquoise highlights is also known. The genus name means crossbred gill, honouring the German aquarist Arthur Rachow.
Where it lives
The fish inhabits floodplains of the lower Zambezi and Pungwe Rivers in Mozambique. It lives in flat plains and water depressions that fill with rain but dry out completely each year. This seasonal habitat defines its survival strategy.
How it lives
These benthopelagic fish feed on zooplankton and small creatures near the bottom. They mature rapidly within twelve weeks. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males showing aggressive behaviour toward rivals. They thrive in heavily planted aquariums with soft water.
Breeding and life cycle
As annual killifish, they live for only one to eighteen months. Adults bury eggs in the mud before their temporary pools evaporate. The embryos remain dormant in the sediment until rainfall refills the habitat, triggering hatching. This adaptation ensures survival through dry seasons.
Fish and people
The bluefin notho holds commercial value in the pet trade. Hobbyists raise them from eggs in forty to sixty litre tanks. They can coexist with peaceful species like pencil fish and loaches. Breeders prefer soft water conditions and dense planting to mimic natural environments.
Questions people ask about Bluefin notho
How long does a bluefin notho live?
They live for about one to one and a half years. They die at the end of the breeding season after reproducing in temporary pools.
Where do these fish lay their eggs?
They bury their eggs in the mud as water levels drop. The eggs remain dormant until rain refills the pools, allowing the young to hatch.
What do bluefin nothos eat?
They are benthopelagic feeders. Their diet consists mainly of zooplankton and other small organisms found at the bottom of their habitat.
Good reading and sources
- Nothobranchius rachovii on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nothobranchius rachovii", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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