Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Nothobranchiidae (African rivulines)
Etymology: Nothobranchius: Greek, nothos = false + Greek, brangchia = gill (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 2059)
Africa: Unguja Island, Zanzibar archipelago, and adjacent mainland coastal rivers in eastern Tanzania (Ref. 83514, 122075); also reported from Umba and Ramisi rivers in Kenya (Ref. 83514).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 122075); 5.3 cm SL (female)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 19; Vertebrae: 30 - 32. Diagnosis: Distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following character states: caudal fin red with black posterior margin in males, narrow white margin to dorsal and anal fins, and silver iris; posterior portion of flank and unpaired fins with black spots in females; pre-dorsal length in males 62.4-65.1% of standard length; 5 + 15-16 gill-rakers on first branchial arch; 29-31 scales in longitudinal series; 16-18 series of scales around caudal peduncle; two longitudinal rows of scales between anterior supraorbital series of neuromasts; anterior supraorbital series of neuromasts arranged continuously, with four well-developed neuromasts; four neuromasts in posterior supraorbital series; 29-31 caudal-fin rays; 30-31 vertebrae; second proximal radial of dorsal fin between neural spines of 13th and 15th vertebrae (Ref. 83514, 122075). This species differs from Nothobranchius lucius in having a plain red caudal fin with narrow margin at the upper and lower corners in male (Ref. 83514).
Found in temporary pools in floodplains, rice fields, swamps, ditches and small streams (Ref. 3788). Found in water-filled depressions in floodplains of rivers; with vegetation often near edges, usually grasses; occasionally grasses cover the entire pool; if aquatic vegetation is present, it may comprise of Nymphea, Ottelia, Lagarosiphon, and Utricularia species; annual species; eggs deposited in substrate where they survive dry season; hatching at onset of wet season; rapid growth of fry; sexual maturity may be attained in six weeks; may be associated with other annual or non-annual fish species (Ref. 83514). Bottom spawner; 4 months incubation; difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Annual fishes.
Costa, W.J.E.M., 2017. Taxonomic revision of the seasonal killifish genus Nothobranchius from Zanzibar, East Africa (Cyprinodontoidei: Aplocheilidae). J. Nat. Hist. 51(27/28):1-16. (Ref. 122075)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01072 (0.00471 - 0.02436), b=2.95 (2.75 - 3.15), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.45 se; based on food items.
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
