Kilombero Notho

Nothobranchius kilomberoensis

Animalia›Chordata›Cyprinodontiformes›Nothobranchiidae

Nothobranchius kilomberoensis, commonly known as the Kilombero Notho, is a small annual killifish native to Tanzania with vibrant coloration and an engaging personality. These fish are prized by killifish enthusiasts for their striking appearance and relatively manageable care requirements. They are best kept in species-specific or carefully planned community setups due to their specialized needs.

Where it's from

Native to the Ruaha river basin

Tanzania

At a glance

Size: 1.5 in; 4 cm
Min tank: 5 gal; 19 L
Temp: 68–75°F; 20–24°C
pH: 6.0-7.0
GH: 71–143 ppm; 4–8 dGH
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swims: All levels
Lifespan: 1-2 yrs

Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.

Care

Diet

Kilombero Nothos are carnivorous and require live or frozen small foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and micro worms. Feed small portions 1-2 times daily, adjusting quantity based on fish size and appetite. They may refuse dry foods, so live or frozen options are essential for optimal health and coloration.

Behavior

These killifish are active swimmers that display territorial behavior, especially males toward each other. They prefer dimly lit tanks with dense vegetation and are most active during dawn and dusk hours. Males will display vibrant colors and engage in chasing behaviors, making them fascinating to observe in a dedicated setup.

Breeding

Kilombero Nothos are annual killifish that breed readily in captivity with proper conditioning. Provide a spawning substrate of peat moss or specialized spawning medium where pairs can deposit eggs. Eggs require a drying period of several weeks to months before being rehydrated to trigger hatching, making breeding a specialized but rewarding process.

Tank mates

See all 5

Clown Killifish

Similar size and temperament; both are killifish with comparable care needs

good

Least Killifish

Comparable size and dietary requirements; peaceful coexistence possible

good

Pygmy Corydoras

Small bottom dweller; may be nipped at but generally compatible if tank is large enough

caution

Otocinclus

Small algae eater that occupies different tank zone and has minimal interaction

good

Neon Tetra

Small schooling fish; may trigger predatory response in killifish

caution

Fits a 5-gallon tank

No state or federal restrictions on record.

Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.

The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).