Rachow's killifish

Nothobranchius rachovii

FishFreshwater

Nothobranchius rachovii reaches 5-6 cm. The male is very colorful: turquoise blue body with red scales, red and blue fins. The female is dull, brown. The fins are rounded. It is a surface fish. It lives in small groups. Its life cycle is annual: it hatches, grows, reproduces and dies in less than a year. The eggs can remain in diapause for several months. It is very active and territorial among males.

Recommended parameters

ParameterRecommended range
Temperature24–28
pH6–6.5
GH2–5
KH1–3
NO₃≤ 10
PO₄≤ 0.2

Care

Difficulty4/5
Dietcarnivore
Min. tank30 L
Min. group1
Adult size6 cm
Lifespan1 ans
Temperamentterritorial

Care notes

A specific tank of 30-50 L for a pair or trio. Water should be very soft (GH 2-5), acidic (pH 6.0-6.5), temperature 24-28°C. A gentle filter, without strong current. Provide fine plants (Java moss) and a peat substrate for spawning. Carnivorous: accepts small insects, artemia, daphnia. Do not mix with other fish. Males are aggressive towards each other. Reproduction requires collecting eggs in peat and storing them moist.