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Spotted killifish (Nothobranchius kuhntae) — Nothobranchiidae

Spotted killifish

Nothobranchius kuhntae

The Spotted killifish (Nothobranchius kuhntae) is a fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Mozambique
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spotted killifish is a small annual killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from temporary pools of the coastal plain around Beira in Mozambique; FishBase treats the species under Nothobranchius orthonotus. The species grows to about 10 cm; males are bright red to brownish-red with a network of dark scale edges, females plain grey-brown. It lives in rain pools that dry out in the dry season: the adults die, but the eggs survive dry in the mud and hatch with the next rains. It eats insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted killifish?

The Spotted killifish is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern. Annual; the eggs survive the dry season in the mud

Where does the Spotted killifish live?

The Spotted killifish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Mozambique

How big does the Spotted killifish get?

The Spotted killifish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Spotted killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted killifish 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 Spotted killifish edible?

The Spotted killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted killifish sourced
Scientific name
Nothobranchius kuhntae
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Other names
Nothobranchius orthonotus; Beira killifish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Marbled 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

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Mozambique sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Annual species; reproduction in the rainy season, the eggs rest dry. sourced
Special features
Annual; the eggs survive the dry season in the mud 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 verified
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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