Rachow´s Nothobranch (the species has been named to honour Arthur Rachow, thus the common name must end on a “w”), also called the bluefin notho, belongs not only to the longest-serving, but also to the timeless most beautiful species of killifish at all in our aquaria. Most often the orange colour morph is kept, which has been collected in 1958 near Beira and never disappeared since then, because enthusiastic hobbyist preserved them by breeding. For more informations, please see also http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fishes/killifish-en/nothobranchius-pienaari-en/
In the wild, these beautiful fish usually live for only a few months, after which their home waters dry up. But in the aquarium they can get much older, about one year. Important for the successful care is a very nutritious food (best worm food like Tubifex etc.), because the fish have a very fast metabolism. In nature, strong temperature fluctuations of the water of more than 10°C often occur in the day-night change. A daytime temperature of 24-25°C is favourable, at night the temperature may drop to room temperature (i.e. about 18°C). This temperature fluctuation is achieved quite simply by switching off the heater with the light at night. Even though the fish, which by the way become about 5 cm (males) and 4 cm (females) long, are rather indifferent to the chemical composition of the water, they are less susceptible to Oodinum in harder water.
Nothobranchius species are best kept in single-species tanks, they are hardly competitive against other fish.
For our customers: the animals have code 338003 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade. Only available in limited quantities!
Lexicon: Nothobranchius: Ancient Greek “nothos” = fake and “branchion” = gill; refers to the structure of the gills. rachovii: dedication name in honour of the German aquarist Arthur Rachow (1884-1960).
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
