Nothobranchius rachovii (Nothobranchius rachovii) in a freshwater aquarium
Intermediate careSemi-aggressiveTop/Mid dwellerAfrica

Nothobranchius rachovii

Nothobranchius rachovii

The Nothobranchius rachovii (Nothobranchius rachovii) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.

Care levelIntermediate
TemperamentSemi-aggressive
Min tank size10.6 US gal
pH range6-7.5
Temperature75-82°F
Max size2.0 in (5.0 cm)
Captive lifespan1-2 years
SchoolingNo
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Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.

Natural distribution

Africa

  • Africa

Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.

Nothobranchius rachovii Tank Setup

A tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons) at 75-82°F and pH 6-7.5 suits them well. Livebearers breed quickly, so plan for the fry and keep an eye on your male-to-female ratio.

What Do Nothobranchius rachoviis Eat?

They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.

Nothobranchius rachovii Tank Mates

Annual killifish; dies after one season. Eggs survive dry season in substrate. Extremely vivid males. Short lifespan of ~1 year. The Nothobranchius rachovii is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.

Are Nothobranchius rachoviis Good for Beginners?

Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.

Nothobranchius rachovii - frequently asked questions

What size tank do Nothobranchius rachoviis need?

Nothobranchius rachoviis need a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.

What water parameters do Nothobranchius rachoviis need?

Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.

What do Nothobranchius rachoviis eat?

Nothobranchius rachoviis have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.

Are Nothobranchius rachoviis good for beginners?

Nothobranchius rachoviis are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.

Fish to avoid mixing with Nothobranchius rachoviis

These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.

  • OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates