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Lueke's nothobranch (Nothobranchius luekei) — Nothobranchiidae

Lueke's nothobranch

Nothobranchius luekei

The Lueke's nothobranch (Nothobranchius luekei) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Tanzania
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Lueke's nothobranch is an annual killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from temporary rain pools and swamps of the savanna of the Rufiji basin in Tanzania in East Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; the male is brightly coloured with red, blue or orange tints and a scaled pattern. When the pools dry up in the dry season the adults die, but their eggs survive in the soil and hatch after the next rains. It eats mosquito larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lueke's nothobranch?

The Lueke's nothobranch has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Lueke's nothobranch live?

The Lueke's nothobranch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Tanzania

How big does the Lueke's nothobranch get?

The Lueke's nothobranch grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Lueke's nothobranch dangerous to humans?

No, the Lueke's nothobranch 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 Lueke's nothobranch edible?

Yes, the Lueke's nothobranch is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Lueke's nothobranch sourced
Scientific name
Nothobranchius luekei
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Africa: Tanzania sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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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