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Spotted Killifish

Nothobranchius orthonotus

Freshwater Africa Usually captive bred

The Spotted Killifish is a stout, brightly coloured annual killifish from temporary floodplains in southern Africa. Highly predatory, it readily gulps smaller fish and invertebrates. It has an inherently short annual lifespan, meaning keeping this species focuses heavily on spawning them into peat moss to harvest and incubate desiccated eggs.

Also called: Beira killifish, Spotted killifish.

7.5 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 7.5 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 60 L, at least 50 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 10 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 2 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 21 to 26 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6.5 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 5 to 14, KH 3 to 8 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Semi-aggressive Territorial: weak.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 1 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Spotted Killifish is an carnivore that swims in the middle of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.