{"product_id":"rochows-notho-killifish-nothobranchius-rachovi","title":"Rochow's Notho Killifish - Nothobranchius rachovii","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRachow’s Notho (Nothobranchius rachovii)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachow’s Notho, Nothobranchius rachovii, is a spectacular annual killifish famous for the males’ vivid blue, red-orange and black patterning. Also known as the Bluefin Notho or Blueband Killifish, this species is one of the most colourful freshwater fish available to specialist aquarists. It is best suited to experienced keepers who understand annual killifish life cycles, species-focused setups, careful feeding and the need to raise or store eggs if long-term continuation of the line is desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRachow’s Notho, Rachov’s Notho, Bluefin Notho, Blueband Killifish, Rainbow Killifish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNothobranchius rachovii\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUp to around 6 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNative to Mozambique, especially temporary pools, swamps and water-filled depressions on lowland floodplains in the lower Pungwe and lower Zambezi river regions. These habitats fill during the wet season and may dry completely as the dry season progresses. As an annual killifish, the adults live and breed in temporary waters, while the eggs survive a dry incubation period in the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 21–25°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 6.0–7.0\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately soft freshwater; stable, clean water is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful towards many unrelated fish, but males can be territorial and competitive with each other. Best kept as a species-focused setup, either as a pair, trio, or carefully managed small group with more females than males. Avoid aggressive fish, fin-nippers and fast feeders that may outcompete or stress them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarnivorous micro-predator. Offer high-quality frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae, cyclops, grindal worm and small blackworm. Some individuals may accept small soft pellets, but live and frozen foods are usually important for colour, condition and breeding. Feed small amounts regularly and avoid overfeeding, as water quality can decline quickly in smaller killifish setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA minimum of 40 litres is suitable for a pair or trio, with larger aquariums preferred for groups or display setups. A species aquarium is often the best approach, with gentle filtration, plants, spawning medium and calm water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA small, active killifish that spends much of its time displaying, feeding and exploring the lower to mid-water areas. Males are brightly coloured and may display intensely to females or rival males. This is a substrate-spawning annual species; eggs are deposited into peat, coir or suitable spawning medium and require a dry incubation period before hatching. Typical aquarium lifespan is short compared with most community fish, often around 6–12 months, so breeding or egg collection is central to long-term keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest treated as a specialist species fish rather than a general community fish. It can be kept with very peaceful, similarly sized fish in carefully chosen setups, but species aquariums are strongly preferred for breeding, feeding control and reducing stress. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs and any fish that may dominate food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is an annual killifish and is not suitable for aquarists expecting a long-lived standard community fish. Provide a mature, stable aquarium with soft cover, floating plants, gentle filtration and a secure lid, as killifish can jump. Use dark substrate or spawning containers with peat\/coir if breeding. Eggs normally need to be collected, stored damp and incubated before being wetted to hatch, with storage time depending on temperature and development. Newly hatched fry require very small live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExperienced fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOccasional \/ specialist killifish trade \/ often supplied as eggs or captive-bred stock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Male \/ Small","offer_id":46269242441901,"sku":"AG-103645","price":10.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Male \/ Medium","offer_id":46269242474669,"sku":"AG-103646","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Male \/ Large","offer_id":46269242507437,"sku":"AG-103647","price":17.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Small","offer_id":46269242540205,"sku":"AG-103693","price":10.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Medium","offer_id":46269242572973,"sku":"AG-103694","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female \/ Large","offer_id":46269242605741,"sku":"AG-103695","price":17.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Rochow_sNothoKillifish-Nothobranchiusrachovi_Male_1.jpg?v=1781954663","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/rochows-notho-killifish-nothobranchius-rachovi","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}