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FishmediumFreshwater

Guenther's Notho

Nothobranchius guentheri

📍 East Africa

Ask Finn

Guenther's Notho is a small, colorful killifish native to East Africa, prized for its vibrant blue and red coloration and active behavior. These annual killifish are short-lived but captivating aquarium residents that thrive in planted tanks with gentle water flow. They are best kept in species-specific or peaceful community setups due to their small size and delicate nature.

Size1.6"
Min Tank10g
peaceful
Zonemiddle

Care Guide

Diet

Guenther's Notho are carnivorous and require small live foods such as microworms, daphnia, and small copepods as their primary diet. Frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp can supplement their diet. Feed small portions 1-2 times daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes.

Behavior

These killifish are active, curious swimmers that spend most of their time in the middle water column exploring vegetation and substrate. They are generally peaceful but may exhibit mild aggression toward their own species, particularly males. They prefer dimly lit tanks with plenty of plants and are most active during dawn and dusk hours.

Breeding

Guenther's Notho are annual killifish that breed readily in captivity, laying eggs in peat moss or fine substrate. Breeding requires separate conditioning tanks with live foods and cooler temperatures around 20-22°C. Eggs can be stored in moist peat for several months before hatching, making them suitable for hobbyists interested in killifish breeding.

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects

Treatment

Increase temperature gradually to 26-28°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or commercial ich treatment; maintain good water quality

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove decaying plant matter, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure adequate filtration

Velvet Disease (Oodinium)

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite

Treatment

Increase temperature to 26-28°C, reduce light exposure, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment; quarantine affected fish

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, ulcers, cloudy eyes, torn fins, behavioral changes

Treatment

Improve water conditions immediately, perform frequent water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; isolate severely affected fish

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Quick Facts

diet
Carnivore - small live foods and frozen foods
lifespan
1-2 years
max size
4 cm (1.6 in)
tank size
10 gallons minimum
temperament
peaceful

Water it likes

ph
6.0-7.0
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
4-8 dGH
temperature
68–75°F (20–24°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists