Blue/Orange Rachovii (Nothobranchius rachovii) — also known as the Bluefin Notho — is one of the most strikingly colored killifish in the hobby. Mature males display a brilliant red-orange base overlaid with iridescent sky-blue striping across the body, with bold orange-and-black banding in the tail. Females are far more subdued, a plain beige with only a hint of blue iridescence. This is a true showpiece fish for anyone willing to learn its unusual life cycle.
Native to seasonal pools and temporary water bodies along the lower Zambezi and lower Pungwe River systems in Mozambique. Because their entire life cycle is built around a short, intense burst of growth and breeding before the pool dries out, Rachovii mature in as little as 3 weeks and are constantly reproducing throughout their short lives.
Feeding & Care Tip: Rachovii does best on a genuine diet of live foods — small white worms, grindal worms, and live or frozen brine shrimp are the true ideal, not just an acceptable option. While some keepers offer flake as a supplement, dry food alone will leave this fish undersized, dull in color, and short-lived even by its already-brief standards. Feed small portions 2–3 times daily rather than one large meal — overfeeding leads to digestive problems in this species.
Keep at a stable pH of 6.0–6.5 for true ideal condition — this species is often kept successfully in a wider range, but the tighter acidic target is what produces the best color and the most successful breeding. Soft water and a peat-based substrate or filter media will help maintain this naturally. Add a small amount of aquarium salt (roughly 1 tablespoon per gallon) as the species is prone to velvet disease.
Rachovii does best in a small species-only tank (5–10 gallons is sufficient) with one male and several females — males are territorial toward each other and should not be combined in numbers without a larger, heavily decorated tank. If kept in a community setting, choose only small, peaceful tankmates that share the same soft-water preference, such as Corydoras or small pencilfish. Provide gentle filtration, as strong current stresses this species and drives it into hiding.
| Difficulty | Easy care, but short-lived by design — read the lifespan note above |
| Temperament | Peaceful but territorial between males |
| Typical Adult Size | 1.5–2.4 inches (4–6 cm) |
| Recommended Grouping | 1 male with 2–3+ females in a species tank |
| Ideal Temp | 73–78°F (23–26°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–6.5 — true ideal for color and breeding, not just survivable range |
| Ideal GH | 4–8 dGH, soft water |
| Staple Food | Live or frozen brine shrimp; live white/grindal worms — true ideal, not flake alone |
| Treat / Supplement | Chopped earthworm, daphnia for variety and conditioning |
| Lifespan | 6 months to 2 years — annual species, this is normal |
| Origin | Lower Zambezi and lower Pungwe River systems, Mozambique — seasonal pools |
| Notes | Known jumper — tight lid required. Prone to velvet; light aquarium salt helps prevent it. Peat substrate or filtration helps maintain ideal soft, acidic water. |
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