Redtail notho

📖 Overview

Found in temporary pools, swamps, ditches and small streams . Used for biological control of mosquitos . One of the so called 'annual fishes' which has eggs that can withstand seasonal droughts . A bottom spawner, 3-4 months incubation. Quite popular with aquarists; difficult to maintain in an aquarium .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 16; Vertebrae: 28. Diagnosis: It is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following character states: caudal fin red with black posterior margin in males; flank and fins without dark spots in females; pre-dorsal length in males 57.5-61.4% of standard length; 3 + 12-14 gill-rakers on first branchial arch; 27-28 scales in longitudinal series; 14 series of scales around caudal peduncle; single longitudinal row of scales between anterior supraorbital series of neuromasts; anterior supraorbital series of neuromasts arranged in two sections, anterior section with one well-developed neuromast, posterior with two; three neuromasts in posterior supraorbital series; 26-27 caudal-fin rays; 28 vertebrae; second proximal radial of dorsal fin between neural spines of 10th and 12th vertebrae . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Redtail notho is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Redtail notho is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Thrives in seasonal rainwater pools. Spawns throughout the short breeding period until the pool dries up and all fish die except their drought-resistant eggs. Eggs go through a dry period of many weeks. When rain comes and pool fills, most of the eggs begin to develop and hatch within hours. Fry grow very fast. In only 6 to 8 weeks they are sexually mature and start breeding . In aquaria, males showed aggressive behavior toward each other. Females were being pushed down to the substratum by the males as a prelude to spawning.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 7.0; dH range: 4 - 10; non-migratory . Tropical; 22°C - 25°C endemic to Unguja Island, Zanzibar archipelago, eastern Tanzania (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .

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