Kayuni's Notho (Nothobranchius sp. Kayuni)

Overview

Kayuni's Notho is a rare African annual killifish supplied to us under the trade and supplier label Nothobranchius spec. kayuni. For customer clarity we describe it as Nothobranchius sp. Kayuni, because the Kayuni name is best treated as a locality or trade form rather than a fully settled formal species name. Specialist killifish records link Kayuni State Farm strains with the Nothobranchius kafuensis complex from Zambia, while Petra's source listing uses Nothobranchius spec. kayuni. That means the honest approach is to preserve the supplier name buyers search for, but avoid overclaiming a precise described species or unsupported Tanzanian origin.

This is still exactly the kind of fish specialist notho keepers look for: compact, colourful, fast-maturing and full of display behaviour. The fish are supplied at around 2.5-3.5 cm. Plan adult care as you would for a small to medium Nothobranchius, with excellent water quality, a covered aquarium, rich small foods and a species-first layout.

Quick Facts

• Trade name: Kayuni's Notho
• Supplier label: Nothobranchius spec. kayuni
• Best public wording: Nothobranchius sp. Kayuni
• Supplied size: approx. 2.5-3.5 cm
• Adult planning: allow for roughly 5-6 cm potential in the Kayuni / kafuensis-type group
• Temperature: 22-25°C for routine aquarium care
• pH: around 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: soft to moderately hard, about 2-12 dGH
• Minimum aquarium: 40 litres for a pair or small group
• Care level: moderate specialist care
• Diet: small live and frozen carnivore foods

Appearance

The exact Petra source photo shows the appeal clearly: a warm orange to pink body, pale spotting along the flanks, turquoise-blue patterning through the fins and a bold tail edge. Males are the display fish, especially once settled and conditioned. Females are usually plainer and shorter-finned, which is normal for Nothobranchius. A dark base, plant cover and gentle lighting help these colours look their best without pushing the fish into a stressful bright display tank.

Natural Background

Annual nothos are adapted to temporary seasonal water. The wider Nothobranchius group lives in pools, floodplain wetlands, marshes and ditches that may dry for part of the year. The adults grow and breed quickly while water is present; the eggs survive in damp substrate and hatch when rains return. Published and hobby records for Kayuni State Farm forms place Kayuni material in Zambia, especially around Kayuni State Farm / Monze in the Kafue or upper Zambezi context, and list it with Nothobranchius kafuensis. Because this retail fish is supplied as Nothobranchius spec. kayuni, we keep that label visible while presenting the locality evidence carefully.

Aquarium Setup

Use a covered aquarium of at least 40 litres for a pair or carefully balanced small group. A lid matters, because killifish jump. Use gentle filtration, mature biological media and regular water changes rather than strong flow. Fine sand, leaf litter, spawning mops or a removable peat/coir spawning pot all suit the fish. Add Java moss, floating plants and shaded areas so females can rest and males can break line of sight. Avoid a bare, bright tank; it makes the fish look poorer and increases chasing.

For day-to-day care, aim for stable, clean water rather than chasing extremes. A routine range around 22-25°C, pH 6.5-7.5 and soft to moderately hard water is sensible for UK aquaria. Cooler water may slow growth slightly; warmer water can speed growth and shorten the already brief annual-fish rhythm. Keep nitrate low and remove uneaten food quickly.

Feeding

Kayuni's Notho is a small carnivorous killifish and should not be kept on dry flake alone. Offer small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, adult brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, bloodworm, grindal worms and fine quality micro-pellets. Feed small portions once or twice daily. Good feeding makes a visible difference to colour, body condition and breeding readiness, but heavy feeding must be matched with clean water.

Behaviour and Compatibility

This is a specialist fish, not a general community-tank filler. Males can display, spar and pressure females, especially in small aquaria. The safest choice is a species-focused setup with cover and, where possible, more females than males. If you try tank mates, choose only calm fish of similar size in a larger aquarium, and watch the group closely. Avoid fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, aggressive cichlids, large fast feeders and tiny shrimp that may be eaten.

Breeding Notes

Annual Nothobranchius are substrate spawners. In aquaria, keepers normally provide peat, coir or fine spawning media, then remove and incubate the eggs damp. Source references for the Kayuni / kafuensis-type group and related nothos point to peat-style spawning and incubation over several months; FishBase lists bottom spawning for Nothobranchius kafuensis, while WildNothos and hobby reports commonly discuss three to five month egg development depending on temperature and conditions. This is rewarding work, but it is not a casual breeding project.

Buying and Delivery

You will receive fish from the listed SKU and size band, with the exact Petra source photo now included on the gallery for transparency. Use code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order where the promotion is active. Livestock orders are packed for live-animal courier delivery, and eligible fish are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when the delivery instructions are followed.

Source Notes

This listing keeps the supplier label Nothobranchius spec. kayuni and uses specialist records from FishBase, WildNothos, the Nothobranchius Maintenance Group and Killi.co.uk to keep the care guidance cautious.