Eggers' killifish

Nothobranchius eggersi

Family : Nothobranchiidae

FishFreshwaterkillifish

Nothobranchius eggersi is an annual killifish with brilliant colors, prized for its red fins and metallic blue body.

Eggers' killifish — photo 1 sur 4 — Denise Chan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.01 / 4

Popularity

Community fish

classic in freshwater aquarium

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Biotope

East Africa

Grands lacs africains (hors Malawi/Tanganyika), Madagascar.

Description

Males reach 5–6 cm and display a turquoise blue body with red scales, red dorsal and anal fins edged in blue. Females are brown-gray with dark spots. This is an annual species: eggs survive the dry season in mud. In the aquarium, it requires very soft, acidic water, temperature 24–28°C. It is active and colorful, but males are highly territorial. Reproduction involves spawning in a peat substrate, with dry incubation of 3–6 months.

Habitat

Region :

Temporary pools and seasonal freshwater swamps, often very soft and acidic.

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature24–28 °C

pH6–6.8

GH2–5 °dGH

KH1–2 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 15 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 0.5 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

4/5

Diet

Carnivore

Min. tank

40 L

Min. group

Adult size

6 cm

Lifespan

1 years

Temperament

Territorial, mâles agressifs entre eux

Propagation

Ponte sur substrat de tourbe, incubation sèche longue

Care notes

Parameters: pH 6.0–6.8, GH 2–5, KH 1–2, temperature 24–28°C. Minimum 40 liters for a pair. Diet: brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, mosquito larvae. Gentle filtration, subdued lighting. Floating plants and hiding spots. Nitrates max 15 mg/L. Weekly 20% water changes. Sensitive to diseases if water is too hard. Compatible only with other annual killifish or in a species tank.

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