Korthaus Notobranch Red

Overview

Korthaus Notobranch Red, sold here as Nothobranchius / korthausae red, is a beautiful freshwater killi fish admired for its strong red colouration and lively personality. As with many annual-type killifish, it is a specialist species that rewards attentive care, a varied diet, and stable conditions. The exact adult size, water temperature, and pH can vary by line and source, so please verify with your local water and check the needs of your specific stock before purchase.

This species is ideal for hobbyists looking to keep something a little different from mainstream community fish. It is best appreciated in a well-planned setup where water quality is excellent and tank mates are chosen carefully. We supply juveniles at approximately 2.5 - 3.5 cm, giving you the opportunity to grow them on and enjoy their developing colour.

What makes this fish special?

Korthaus Notobranch Red is part of the killifish group, a family well known for seasonal life cycles, vivid males, and fascinating breeding behaviour. Even when kept outside dedicated breeding projects, these fish are appealing because of their colour, shape, and active feeding response. They are not the best choice for a brand-new aquarium, but they can be highly rewarding for keepers willing to observe, plan, and maintain consistent conditions.

• Freshwater specialist killifish
• Compact size, sold as juveniles
• Best kept in a calm, well-maintained aquarium
• Ideal for aquarists interested in breeding and behaviour
• Water values should be checked against your local supply

Tank Setup

Because this is a specialist freshwater killi, tank planning matters. A mature, covered aquarium is strongly recommended, as killifish can be alert, quick, and sometimes prone to jumping. A secure lid also helps reduce evaporation and keeps water conditions more stable. For a single pair or a small group, start with a tank of at least 40 litres; larger is always better if you want to provide more space, better stability, and more territory options.

Use a soft, natural layout with plants, fine substrate, leaf litter, and shaded areas if you want to encourage natural behaviour. Floating plants can help reduce bright light and make the fish feel more secure. Gentle filtration is usually preferable, as these fish do not need violent water movement. Good oxygenation and clean water are important, but avoid strong currents that may stress them.

Since precise temperature and pH figures were not supplied, we recommend you verify with your local water and match the fish to a setup that can be kept consistently within the appropriate range for the species. Sudden swings in temperature, pH, or water quality should be avoided. Regular partial water changes and careful maintenance are essential.

Practical setup tips

• Use a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping
• Choose mature filtration and stable conditions over flashy décor
• Include plants or spawning material if you plan to breed
• Keep lighting moderate rather than harsh
• Perform small, regular water changes rather than infrequent large ones

Diet & Feeding

Korthaus Notobranch Red is best fed a varied carnivorous diet. Killifish generally respond very well to live and frozen foods, and these usually help maintain colour, condition, and breeding readiness. Suitable options commonly include bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, and similar small meaty foods. High-quality prepared foods may also be accepted, but variety is important.

Feed little and often rather than overloading the tank. Because killifish can be enthusiastic feeders, it is easy to give too much. Small portions once or twice daily are often enough for healthy adults, while juveniles may benefit from slightly more frequent feeding. Remove excess food promptly to protect water quality.

Feeding good practice

• Offer varied live and frozen foods where possible
• Use quality prepared foods as part of a balanced routine
• Avoid overfeeding, especially in smaller aquaria
• Adjust portion size to the fish’s activity and body condition
• Keep water clean after feeding to prevent waste build-up

Tank Mates & Temperament

This species is generally best described as a specialist freshwater fish rather than a classic community species. Males can be territorial towards one another, especially in smaller aquaria or during breeding. The best approach is usually to keep one male with one or more females, or to keep a carefully managed group in a suitably sized tank with plenty of visual barriers.

Good tank mates are calm, similarly sized fish that will not outcompete the killifish for food or nip fins. Avoid fast, boisterous, or aggressive species, as well as large fish that may see the killifish as prey. Very tiny fish may also be at risk if they fit into the mouth of a larger specimen.

Suitable companions may include

• Small peaceful tetras, if water values are compatible
• Rasboras of a similar size and temperament
• Peaceful bottom dwellers, where appropriate and compatible
• Other non-aggressive species that do not crowd the surface area

Because precise water requirements were not supplied, compatibility should always be checked against your local water and the needs of any fish already in the aquarium. In general, a calm species-only or carefully planned community tank is the safest route.

Breeding

Breeding is one of the most interesting parts of keeping Nothobranchius killifish. Many hobbyists keep them specifically for this reason. Courtship can be fascinating, with males displaying rich colour and active behaviour while encouraging females to spawn. Depending on the exact line and conditions, eggs may be laid in spawning media, fine substrate, or dense planting. Because this is a specialist fish, breeding methods should be matched to the stock you have and the advice provided by experienced keepers or the original source of the fish.

If you intend to breed them, set up the aquarium with spawning areas and keep the pair or group under careful observation. Remove any eggs or spawning material according to the method you are following. Always verify the appropriate incubation and rearing method for your particular stock, as annual killifish can be especially sensitive to incorrect handling.

Things to remember when breeding

• Provide gentle shelter and spawning material
• Use high-quality food to condition adults
• Monitor water quality closely
• Check the breeding approach for your specific line
• Raise fry on suitably small, nutritious foods

Health & Common Issues

Like most specialist fish, Korthaus Notobranch Red thrives when water quality is stable. Stress is the main thing to avoid. Poor water conditions, unsuitable tank mates, and irregular feeding can all weaken the fish and make them more prone to illness. Because these are often kept in smaller aquaria, filtration and maintenance are especially important.

Common issues include fin damage from rough tank mates, loss of condition from a poor diet, and stress related to unsuitable water parameters. For this reason, we strongly recommend keeping the tank covered, feeding a varied diet, and monitoring the fish closely during the first weeks after arrival. If any fish show signs of clamped fins, refusal to eat, rapid breathing, or unusual hiding, check water quality first.

As the exact temperature and pH range were not supplied, please verify with your local water and use your own test kit to confirm conditions before and after introduction. Clean water, low stress, and a sensible feeding routine are the foundation of long-term success.

Buying From Us

At Tropical Fish Co, we aim to supply healthy, well-packed fish that are ready to settle into your aquarium. Your Korthaus Notobranch Red will be dispatched at approximately 2.5 - 3.5 cm and handled with care throughout the packing process. We recommend preparing the aquarium fully before delivery so that the fish can be acclimated calmly on arrival.

Our fish are shipped with the same attention to welfare and presentation that we apply across our specialist livestock range. Please ensure you have checked compatibility, tank size, and water suitability before ordering. If the species parameters are not explicitly listed, treat them as requiring verification against your local water and supplier information.

Freshwater fish should be acclimated slowly, lights kept low on arrival, and feeding kept light for the first meal. If you are combining new fish with an established aquarium, take extra care to observe their behaviour closely for the first few days.

• Carefully packed for dispatch
• Healthy juveniles supplied at 2.5 - 3.5 cm
• Best kept in a stable, well-maintained aquarium
• Ideal for aquarists who enjoy specialist fish
• Always verify local water and species-specific requirements

If you are unsure whether this fish is suitable for your setup, we recommend reviewing your tank size, water values, and existing stock before purchase. A thoughtful setup will give this striking killifish the best chance to thrive and show its best colour.