Palmqvist's Nothobranch
Nothobranchius palmqvisti
A brilliantly colored killifish that lives fast in seasonal African pools.
About
Palmqvist's Nothobranch (Nothobranchius palmqvisti) is a killifish from the coastal lowlands of Kenya and Tanzania, where it makes its home in temporary floodplain pools, roadside ditches, and seasonal swamps that dry out completely each year. Like other annual killifish, it evolved a survival strategy built around speed. Grow fast, breed fast, and leave eggs buried in the substrate to wait out the dry season. In captivity those eggs need a period of dry incubation, typically two to four months, before hatching, which puts this fish firmly in intermediate territory for keepers. The breeding biology is where a lot of the action happens. Males spend much of their time courting females with persistent displays and chasing, and while they won't bother other species, two males sharing cramped quarters can get rough with each other. Give them a roomy setup, stock more females than males, and that aggression largely fades into background noise. Peaceful tankmates can sometimes pick on them, so choose companions carefully. Diet-wise, they are dedicated carnivores that do best on meaty foods like frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and small live prey. For a killifish keeper ready to tackle peat incubation and short lifespans, palmqvisti is a rewarding and manageable project species.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Palmqvist's Nothobranch
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Palmqvist's Nothobranch get?
- The Palmqvist's Nothobranch reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Palmqvist's Nothobranch need?
- A minimum of 12 gallons is recommended for the Palmqvist's Nothobranch.
- What water parameters does the Palmqvist's Nothobranch need?
- The Palmqvist's Nothobranch does best with a temperature of 64–82°F, a pH of 6.5–8.2, hardness around 4–25 dGH.
- Is the Palmqvist's Nothobranch aggressive?
- The Palmqvist's Nothobranch is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Palmqvist's Nothobranch eat?
- The Palmqvist's Nothobranch is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Palmqvist's Nothobranch live?
- With good care, the Palmqvist's Nothobranch typically lives 3-5 years.