
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nothobranchius guentheri
A small annual killifish whose males carry a deep red caudal fin. It is endemic to Unguja Island in Tanzania and assessed as Endangered by the IUCN, and it survives the dry season as drought-resistant eggs.
Nothobranchius guentheri is a small killifish restricted to Unguja Island in the Zanzibar archipelago of Tanzania. FishBase gives a standard length of 3.5cm for males and 3.2cm for females. Males are blue-green with red scale margins and a deep red caudal fin. It lives in temporary pools, swamps, ditches and small streams, and is an annual species adapted to habitats that dry out. It lays drought-resistant eggs in the bottom, and the eggs take three to four months to incubate. It preys on mosquito larvae and has been used in biological control. FishBase records 22-25C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 4-10dH for its habitat. It has long been known to aquarists, but FishBase notes that it is difficult to maintain in an aquarium. Because its range is confined to Unguja Island, the IUCN Red List assessed it as Endangered in 2018, and the fish offered in the hobby are captive-bred lines.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Redtail Notho lives About 1 years.
The Redtail Notho grows to 3-3.5cm.
The ideal temperature for the Redtail Notho is 22〜25℃.
Origin
East Africa (Unguja Island, Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania)
Lifespan
About 1 years
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Nothobranchius guentheri (Pfeffer, 1893)
Authority databases: FishBase
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
3-3.5cm
Temperature
22〜25℃
Artemia, Daphnia, frozen bloodworm
It reaches only about 3.5cm, and a tank that can hold a fine substrate suits its habit of spawning into the bottom.
FishBase records 22-25C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 4-10dH in the wild.
In the wild it preys on mosquito larvae and plankton, so anything small enough to swallow will be treated as food.
In the wild it eats mosquito larvae and other plankton. In aquaria it takes small animal foods such as Artemia, Daphnia and frozen bloodworm.
It is a bottom spawner, and FishBase gives an incubation period of three to four months. As an annual species that passes the dry season as drought-resistant eggs, breeding requires collecting and storing the eggs.
FishBase notes that it is popular with aquarists yet difficult to maintain. The IUCN assessed it as Endangered in 2018, and because its range is a single island, captive-bred lines should be chosen.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Redtail Notho is 22〜25℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Redtail Notho is About 1 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Redtail Notho typically reaches 3-3.5cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Redtail Notho feeds on: Artemia, Daphnia, frozen bloodworm. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Redtail Notho varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 28, 2026