Common name
Rachov’s nothobranch
Scientific name
Nothobranchius rachovii
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Annual killifish
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Temporary floodplain pools in Mozambique, including the lower Pungwe and lower Zambezi regions
Care level
Advanced specialist
Adult size
About 5–6 cm total length
Expected lifespan
Usually about 6–12 months; an annual fish with a naturally compressed adult life
Minimum housing
At least 45 L for a managed pair, trio or small breeding group
Temperature
20–26 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to moderate
Placement / swimming zone
All levels, especially lower and middle water

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Nothobranchius rachovii. Preserve population and collection codes because annual-killifish lines can differ and should not be casually mixed. Search names include Rachov’s nothobranch, Rachov’s killifish, Bluefin notho, Nothobranchius rachovii.

Environment and housing

Tightly covered species aquarium with calm open water, plant refuge and a removable spawning container holding a suitable fibrous substrate

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Small live and frozen invertebrates with appropriately sized high-quality prepared foods where accepted

Feeding routine: Feed small rich meals once or twice daily without allowing fouling; condition breeding fish with varied live or frozen prey

Breeding and reproduction

Annual substrate spawner. Eggs are buried in fibrous substrate and pass through diapause; incubation duration varies with temperature, moisture and population, so record every collection rather than using one universal schedule.

Parental care: No post-spawning care; adults may eat eggs or fry

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Single-species profile for Nothobranchius rachovii. Preserve population and collection codes because annual-killifish lines can differ and should not be casually mixed.
Adult size and space
About 5–6 cm total length. At least 45 L for a managed pair, trio or small breeding group. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Species-focused pair, trio or carefully managed group; separate persistent aggressors
Swimming zone
Primary zone: All levels, especially lower and middle water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Small live and frozen invertebrates with appropriately sized high-quality prepared foods where accepted
Feeding plan
Feed small rich meals once or twice daily without allowing fouling; condition breeding fish with varied live or frozen prey
Water stability
Maintain 20–26 °C; pH 5.5–7.5; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Habitat structure
Tightly covered species aquarium with calm open water, plant refuge and a removable spawning container holding a suitable fibrous substrate
Compatibility plan
Best maintained in a dedicated breeding system; avoid slow feeders, fin-nippers and community setups that prevent egg collection or lineage control
Breeding plan
Annual substrate spawner. Eggs are buried in fibrous substrate and pass through diapause; incubation duration varies with temperature, moisture and population, so record every collection rather than using one universal schedule. Parental care: No post-spawning care; adults may eat eggs or fry.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding, respiration, skin, fins and waste, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. This short-lived specialist cannot be managed like an ordinary community fish. Lost incubation dates or unavailable first foods can erase a line.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
This short-lived specialist cannot be managed like an ordinary community fish. Lost incubation dates or unavailable first foods can erase a line.

Welfare and risk

Main risk

This short-lived specialist cannot be managed like an ordinary community fish. Lost incubation dates or unavailable first foods can erase a line.

Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. This short-lived specialist cannot be managed like an ordinary community fish. Lost incubation dates or unavailable first foods can erase a line.

Sources