Home · Nothobranchiidae · Uganda nothobranch
Uganda nothobranch (Nothobranchius ugandensis) — Nothobranchiidae

Uganda nothobranch

Nothobranchius ugandensis
LC · Least Concern

The Uganda nothobranch (Nothobranchius ugandensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The Ugandan nothobranch is a small, colourful seasonal killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from East Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are brightly coloured with red and blue tints, females plain brownish. It inhabits temporary waters: swamps, rain pools and roadside ditches that dry up in the dry season. As a seasonal killifish it lays its eggs in the mud bottom; these survive the drought in a dormant state and hatch after the rains, after which the fish grow extremely fast and breed. As a small hunter it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and mosquito larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Uganda nothobranch?

The Uganda nothobranch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Uganda nothobranch live?

The Uganda nothobranch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Uganda nothobranch get?

The Uganda nothobranch grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Uganda nothobranch dangerous to humans?

No, the Uganda nothobranch is harmless to humans.

Is the Uganda nothobranch edible?

The Uganda nothobranch is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oegandese prachtkilli sourced
English name
Uganda nothobranch verified
Scientific name
Nothobranchius ugandensis
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →