TankBud

Turquoise killifish

Nothobranchius furzeri

Also known as Turquoise notho, Furzer's notho, Mozambique killifish

FreshwaterFish

Turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–79°F
20–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Egg burier · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Origin
Native to seasonal rain pools in the semi-arid savanna of southern Mozambique and adjacent Zimbabwe, in the Save and Limpopo drainages.

Overview

The turquoise killifish is a short-lived, aggressive killifish for a dim species tank. It is for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Wild turquoise killifish hatch, grow up and breed within a few weeks, before their pool dries. They pack a whole generation into one short rainy season.

Caring for the turquoise killifish

Keep turquoise killifish in a dimly lit species tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Give them a soft substrate and some floating plants. These fish jump, so fit a tight lid.

Hold the water at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Cooler temperatures slow the aging clock and stretch out their short lives. Feed a carnivorous diet of live or frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and blackworm.

Keep one male with two or three females. Males are pushy toward each other, so keep a single male, or use a large tank with breaks in the sightlines. The turquoise killifish is aggressive, so keep it with its own kind rather than in a community.

Its drought-resistant eggs survive months buried in dry mud, in a dormant state called diapause. Breeding it takes moderate effort.

Good to know

Nothobranchius furzeri is the shortest-lived vertebrate that can be bred in captivity, with a natural lifespan of only a few months. Its short life and dormant eggs have made it a major laboratory model for the biology of aging.

In the wild

The turquoise killifish lives in the semi-arid savanna of southern Mozambique and adjacent Zimbabwe, in the Save and Limpopo drainages. Its seasonal rain pools form on clay soils during the rainy season, then dry out completely for much of the year. The water is shallow, warm and often turbid, with little flow.

Common questions

What size tank does a turquoise killifish need?

A turquoise killifish needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a turquoise killifish need?

A turquoise killifish is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a turquoise killifish eat?

A turquoise killifish is a carnivore. It eats live or frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and blackworm.

How big does a turquoise killifish get?

An adult turquoise killifish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How does a turquoise killifish breed?

Turquoise killifish eggs are drought resistant and can survive months buried in dry mud, resting in a dormant state called diapause. Breeding them takes moderate effort.

Related species