Red-Finned Notho (Nothobranchius rubripinnis)

Quick facts

• Common name: Red-Finned Notho
• Scientific name: Nothobranchius rubripinnis
• Supplied size: 2.5-3.5 cm young stock
• Adult size: about 3.6 cm standard length for males, with females usually smaller
• Care level: Difficult - best for keepers who already understand small specialist killifish
• Best setup: covered 40+ litre species aquarium with gentle flow, plants and spawning media
• Temperature: 22-26 C for routine aquarium care
• Diet: small live and frozen foods, with fine prepared foods as a supplement

Overview

The Red-Finned Notho (Nothobranchius rubripinnis) is a small Tanzanian annual killifish kept for its vivid red fins, compact shape and fascinating seasonal life cycle. It is not a beginner fish. The appeal is in keeping a rare, short-lived specialist species well: clean water, calm tankmates or a species-only setup, frequent small foods and a breeding plan if you want to continue the line.

This listing is for 2.5-3.5 cm stock. Young fish may still be developing their strongest colour, especially if they are newly imported, recently settled or female. Males typically show the strongest red in the caudal, dorsal and anal fins, with blue-green body tones that look best under subdued lighting and against a dark, planted background.

Correct Name and Source Photo

The accepted spelling used by FishBase, WildNothos and current aquarium references is Nothobranchius rubripinnis. Some older supplier text shows a one-n spelling; this listing uses the double-n scientific name.

The product gallery keeps the existing aquarium visuals and adds the exact Petra source photo for this SKU. Use that source photo for the clearest idea of the stock identity and use the additional images as habitat and presentation references.

Natural Habitat

Nothobranchius rubripinnis is associated with coastal Tanzania, especially seasonal freshwater habitats around the Mbezi and Luhule/Luhute river systems south of Dar es Salaam. These habitats can be temporary pools, swamps and shallow seasonal waters. They are not fast-flowing river fish; they are adapted to quiet, plant-rich water where the bottom contains mud, plant debris and fine sediment.

Like other annual nothos, the adults live quickly. They mature, feed, display and spawn while water is available. Eggs survive in the substrate through a dry period and hatch when water returns. That natural rhythm is the reason this species is so interesting, but it is also why it needs more thought than a standard community fish.

Aquarium Setup

Use a mature aquarium of at least 40 litres for a pair, trio or carefully managed small group. A tight lid is essential because killifish can jump through surprisingly small gaps. Keep filtration gentle, avoid strong current, and use floating plants, Java moss, fine-leaved plants, leaf litter or root cover to break up sightlines.

A dark substrate helps the fish feel secure and makes the red fins stand out. If breeding is planned, offer peat fibre, coir, fine sand in a container, or suitable spawning mops so eggs can be collected without disturbing the whole tank. Keep the aquarium calm rather than bright and busy.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22-26 C is a sensible routine range, with stability more important than chasing extremes.
• pH: aim for neutral to slightly alkaline or mildly acidic water, roughly pH 6.8-7.8.
• Hardness: soft to moderate water is suitable; avoid sudden swings.
• Water quality: ammonia and nitrite must stay at 0, with nitrate kept low through small regular water changes.

Do not rush this fish into an immature tank. Small annual killifish can look tough because they are active and bold, but they do poorly in unstable water or tanks with leftover food building up in the substrate.

Feeding

Feed as a small carnivorous micro-predator. Daphnia, baby brine shrimp, adult brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, small bloodworm and similar frozen or live foods are ideal. Fine quality prepared foods can be useful, but they should not be the whole diet if you want strong colour and breeding condition.

Offer small portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food. This is especially important in a species tank with gentle filtration, where waste can settle quickly. A varied diet also helps females condition without becoming overburdened and helps males maintain strong display colour.

Behaviour and Compatibility

Red-Finned Notho is best treated as a species-first fish. Males can display hard, chase females and spar with rival males, especially in a small or open aquarium. Serious damage is usually reduced by using cover, keeping a sensible sex ratio and avoiding cramped conditions, but this is not a peaceful shoaling fish.

If tankmates are used, choose only small, calm species that will not outcompete them for food or nip fins. Avoid large fish, fast midwater feeders, boisterous barbs, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids and most tiny shrimp. For most keepers, a dedicated notho setup is the better and kinder choice.

Breeding Notes

This is a bottom-spawning annual killifish. Provide peat, coir or another suitable spawning medium, condition adults with live and frozen foods, and collect eggs carefully. FishBase and specialist notho references describe an incubation period of around two to four months under suitable conditions.

Breeding is rewarding but precise. Eggs need to stay damp rather than wet, temperature should be steady, and fry need tiny first foods as soon as they hatch. If you have never bred annual killifish before, research the method before the fish arrive rather than trying to work it out after eggs have been laid.

Delivery, Guarantee and First Order Saving

Every live fish order is packed for a licensed live-animal courier service and covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. First-time customers can use code WELCOME10 for 10% off an eligible first order at checkout. For this specialist species, we recommend having the tank ready before ordering so the fish can be acclimated quietly and fed small foods on arrival.