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Lourens's nothobranch (Nothobranchius lourensi) — Nothobranchiidae

Lourens's nothobranch

Nothobranchius lourensi
LC · Least Concern

The Lourens's nothobranch (Nothobranchius lourensi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Tanzania
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Lourens's nothobranch is a small, colourful seasonal killifish from coastal plains of Tanzania in East Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are bright blue to turquoise with orange fin edges, females inconspicuous brownish. It lives in temporary rain pools that dry out in the dry season; the eggs survive in the soil and hatch when the pools refill. The fish therefore has a very short life. It is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lourens's nothobranch?

The Lourens's nothobranch has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Seasonal killifish; the eggs survive drought in the bottom

Where does the Lourens's nothobranch live?

The Lourens's nothobranch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Tanzania

How big does the Lourens's nothobranch get?

The Lourens's nothobranch grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Lourens's nothobranch dangerous to humans?

No, the Lourens's nothobranch is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Lourens's nothobranch edible?

The Lourens's nothobranch is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Lourens's nothobranch verified
Scientific name
Nothobranchius lourensi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Tanzania verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and insect larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Seasonal rain-pool killifish; short-lived. sourced
Special features
Seasonal killifish; the eggs survive drought in the bottom sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nothobranchius

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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