Nothobranchius rachovii

Super Group: 
Opisthokonta
Phylum: 
Chordata
Sub-Phylum: 
Vertebrata
Class: 
Actinopteri
Sub-Class: 
Neopterygi
Order: 
Cyprinodontiformes
Sub-Order: 
Aplocheiloidei
Family: 
Nothobranchiidae
Genus: 
Nothobranchius
Species: 
rachovii
Authority: 
Ahl 1926

Diagnosis

Diagnosis_Genus: The genus Nothobranchius represents a group of small fishes that inhabit temporary savannah pools in Eastern Africa. The genus currently comprises 57 valid species (Dorn et al. 2011), distributed from southern Sudan to KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. All Nothobranchius species are sexually dimorphic, with larger colourful males and smaller drab females.

Body_male_length: 6 cm
Body_female_length: 4 cm
 

Etymology

Nothobranchius: Greek, nothos = false + Greek, brangchia = gill

Ecology

Substrate: water
Sociability_adults_male: solitary
Salinity: freshwater
pH: 6-7.5
Temperature: 19-24°C (22°C for the sexual reproduction)
 

Life cycle

All Nothobranchius species are annual; the adults die when the habitat dries out and the next generation survives in the form of desiccation-resistant eggs encased in dry mud during 6 to 8 months. The eggs hatch after the onset of the rainy season, develop and grow rapidly, and can reach sexual maturity at only three weeks (Genade et al., 2005; Valdesalici and Cellerino, 2003).

Reproduction_mode: sexual (Oviparous)
Generation: 3-12 months (seasonal species)

Resting_stage: eggs

Feeding behaviour

Carnivorous

Mode of locomotion

Motility: motile_swimming

Attached phylogeny

Observation site(s)