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Striped nothobranch (Nothobranchius taeniopygus) — Nothobranchiidae

Striped nothobranch

Nothobranchius taeniopygus
VU · Vulnerable

The Striped nothobranch (Nothobranchius taeniopygus) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The nothobranch killifish is a seasonal killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from East Africa. The species grows to only a few centimetres; males are brightly coloured with red and blue and banded fins. It is a typical species of steppe and savanna with a long dry season: it lives in temporary pools and swamps that dry out. The adults die when their pool dries, while the eggs left in the mud go through a dry resting phase and hatch only when the rains refill the pool. Owing to habitat loss the species is considered vulnerable. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped nothobranch?

The Striped nothobranch has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Striped nothobranch live?

The Striped nothobranch lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Striped nothobranch get?

The Striped nothobranch grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Striped nothobranch dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped nothobranch is harmless to humans.

Is the Striped nothobranch edible?

The Striped nothobranch is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandstaart-nothobranch sourced
English name
Striped nothobranch verified
Scientific name
Nothobranchius taeniopygus
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.6 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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