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Redtail notho (Nothobranchius guentheri) — Nothobranchiidae

Redtail notho

Nothobranchius guentheri
EN · Endangered

The Redtail notho (Nothobranchius guentheri) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Guenther's notho is an annual killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from East Africa. The male is brightly coloured with a blue-green body and a red tail, while the female stays inconspicuous grey-brown. The species lives in temporary pools, swamps, ditches and small streams that dry up in the dry season. The eggs survive in the dry soil and hatch only when the rains return. It is used for mosquito control. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redtail notho?

The Redtail notho has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Redtail notho live?

The Redtail notho lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Redtail notho get?

The Redtail notho grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Redtail notho dangerous to humans?

No, the Redtail notho is harmless to humans.

Is the Redtail notho edible?

The Redtail notho is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guenthers prachtkilli sourced
English name
Redtail notho verified
Scientific name
Nothobranchius guentheri
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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