Rachows Killifish

Fish Care Description

Freshwater

The Rachow killifish (Nothobranchius rachovii) is a beautiful looking Killifish with a light blue body and red criss-cross markings which give the appearance of a string vest, the dorsal fin has thicker red markings and the tail is similar in pattern but with a black edging.

The Killifish live in the lakes and ponds of Africa; where they lay their eggs in the mud before the ponds evaporate in the dry season then the fish die but the eggs survive until it rains again and they then hatch, when the Killifish are fully grown they are about 2-3 inch in length and have a lifespan of 1-2  years.

Housing a Killifish

The Rachows killifish prefer a peat substrate of at least 2 inch as they are peat-divers which mean the female will dive into a peat substrate on the bottom to lay her eggs then the male follows to fertilize them.  Killifish like to hide when feeling threatened so plant with lots of vegetation.

The tank temperature should be kept at (7.2-7.9) and the water should be slightly acidic with a ph of (6.8-7.5) these Killifish do not like bright lights so subdue lighting is ideal.

Feeding

Killifish are carnivores therefore will eat lots of different types of live, frozen or flake food, brine shrimp and worms.