Nothobranchius wattersi occupies seasonal water pools that are briefly connected owing to seasonal flooding by summer rains and isolated later in the season before eventually desiccating; these pools are characterized by fine black or grey-coloured clay-rich soils typically comprising silt, mud and fine sand, roughly in that order of abundance, and eggs are laid in the uppermost layers of this substratum .
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 17 - 18; Vertebrae: 27 - 28. Diagnosis: Nothobranchius wattersi males are similar to N. kirki and differing from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: red colouration on caudal fin and part of caudal peduncle, anal fin red with a blue-green proximal portion, dorsal fin with light blue margin; pectoral, caudal and anal fins with black margin . It is readily distinguished from N. kirki by light blue colouration in scale centres, plain deep red colouration on caudal and distal portion of anal fin, vermiculated blue pattern on anal fin, dorsal fin blue-green, anal fin more rounded, dorsal-fin base shorter, prepelvic to preanal distance longer and head longer, with a more flattened to slightly concave shape on the upper head surface relative to N. kirki. : fusiform / normal.
Behavioural data for Nothobranchius Wattersi is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Nothobranchius Wattersi is currently being compiled.
Reproduction data for Nothobranchius Wattersi is currently being compiled.
Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical central and southern sections of Lake Malawi, and areas around Lake Malombe and the upper Shire River region (Ref.
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Nothobranchius Wattersi ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.