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How to look afterNothobranchius rachovii

Rachov’s Nothobranch

Ahl 1926

(Other members of the genus Nothobranchius)

ADULT SIZE: 7 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-28 C

FOOD: Feed Nothobranchius rachovii predominantly live foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from South Africa, Mozambique

SEXUAL DIFFERENCES: Female Nothobranchius are noticeably smaller than males, and lack the colouration that these fish are famous for.

AQUARIUM CARE: This small Southern African killifish vies for the position of most attractive fresh water species. This species is a real treat to keep but not for beginners. It requires regular livefoods, and being aggressive should be kept as a pair, trio or bigger group with many individuals. These are true annual fish, reaching maturity very quickly, yet rarely living longer than a year.

Nothobranchius are completely unsuitable for the community aquarium, and due to their short life span are best kept in a permanent breeding set up with a peat spawning substrate and no other species present.

BREEDING: This is a typical substrate spawner, eggs should be incubated in partially dried peat for up to six months, often less for newly collected species. The key is to collect many eggs, so whenever the eggs are rewetted, some fry will emerge.

Have you bred Nothobranchius rachovii? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Nothobranchius rachovii breeding reports

Nothobranchius rachovii is one of the most spectacular of all aquarium species, and photographs rarely do it justice

BREEDING: This is a typical substrate spawner, eggs should be incubated in partially dried peat for up to six months, often less for newly collected species. The key is to collect many eggs, so whenever the eggs are rewetted, some fry will emerge.

Have you bred Nothobranchius rachovii? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience!

1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here.

To add details of your experiences of Nothobranchius rachovii, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Water conditions: Moderately hard and alkaline Water temperature: 24-27oC
Disposition: Somewhat aggresive on occasions Community tank?: Doubtful, only with VERY calm fish
Spawning Method: Peat (or similar) spawning substrate Breeding problems: none
Sex ratio: Somewhat male heavy Breeding difficulty: Difficult
Sucess: Fairly sucessful Years Experience: 10
Other Comments: Fry are quick growing, but if underfed will eat each other. When one individual rapidly outgrows the rest, best to separate it.
Date this record created: 6th January 2008 Breeding date: 2006
Breeder: Location: