Nothobranchius korthausae Care Guide
Nothobranchius korthausae is an annual killifish endemic to seasonal pools on Mafia Island, Tanzania, whose eggs survive desiccation in dried mud.
Overview
Nothobranchius korthausae is an annual killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae, endemic to Mafia Island, Tanzania. Males are brightly coloured with red and yellow patterning. As an annual species, its eggs survive desiccation buried in dried mud.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nothobranchiidae
- Genus: Nothobranchius
- Scientific name: Nothobranchius korthausae
Habitat
FishBase records the species as endemic to Mafia Island, Tanzania, where it is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish of temporary pools, swamps, ditches and small streams in open savanna-like areas and gallery forests. FishBase reports water of pH 5.8-6.4 and a hardness of 4-6 dH. These habitats fill during the rains and dry out completely afterwards.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Adult size: 4-6 cm
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
Diet
The species is a carnivore, with a trophic level of about 3.2 reported by FishBase. In the hobby it takes live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
It is best kept as a single male with several females in a quiet species tank. It should not be combined with boisterous community fish or large barbs.
Breeding
Nothobranchius korthausae is an egg-burying bottom spawner. FishBase reports an incubation period of about 1 to 3 months in moist substrate before the eggs hatch when re-wetted.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered, assessed in December 2018.