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Nothobranchius eggersi — Nothobranchiidae

Nothobranchius eggersi

Nothobranchius eggersi
LC · Least Concern

The Nothobranchius eggersi is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Coastal plain of Tanzania in East Africa.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Eggers' nothobranch is a small, colourful annual killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the coastal plain of Tanzania in East Africa. The species reaches about 5 cm; the males are brightly red or blue, the females inconspicuous brown. It lives in temporary pools and swamps that dry out completely in the dry season. It is a true annual fish: the bottom-laid eggs survive the dry period in the mud and hatch after two to three months once the rains return. The diet consists of small zooplankton and insect larvae. The species is popular in the killifish hobby and easy to keep in the aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nothobranchius eggersi?

The Nothobranchius eggersi has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Annual splendid killifish; the eggs survive the dry season in the mud.

Where does the Nothobranchius eggersi live?

The Nothobranchius eggersi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Coastal plain of Tanzania in East Africa.

How big does the Nothobranchius eggersi get?

The Nothobranchius eggersi grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Nothobranchius eggersi dangerous to humans?

No, the Nothobranchius eggersi is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Nothobranchius eggersi edible?

The Nothobranchius eggersi is not usually eaten.

More photos

Nothobranchius eggersi — Nothobranchiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Grimm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Nothobranchius eggersi — Nothobranchiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Andrewbogott (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nothobranchius eggersi — Nothobranchiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) H.Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Nothobranchius eggersi — Nothobranchiidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Violaine2, France (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Nothobranchius eggersi sourced
Scientific name
Nothobranchius eggersi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Coastal plain of Tanzania in East Africa. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Annual splendid killifish; 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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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