Jubb's Nothobranch

Nothobranchius jubbi is an annual killifish from the seasonally arid lowlands of Ethiopia and Somalia, where males compete intensely for females in temporary pools that exist for only a few weeks each rainy season. Males display vibrant red-orange body colouration with a boldly banded caudal fin, while females are cryptically coloured brown. The species represents the extreme end of annual fish adaptation — completing its full life cycle faster than almost any vertebrate.

In the aquarium, N. jubbi requires soft, slightly warm water and a peat substrate for spawning. Eggs undergo a mandatory diapause and should be stored dry for 8–12 weeks. The species is hardy for an annual killifish and tolerates somewhat higher temperatures than many Tanzanian Nothobranchius, reflecting its arid zone origin.

This is a species for the dedicated killifish keeper who appreciates the ecology and conservation story behind annual fish. Its striking appearance and relatively uncomplicated husbandry make it worth seeking out.

Water: 20–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to slightly hard water (GH 3–12). Tank: 30 L species tank; peat substrate; avoid bright lighting. Feeding: Live or frozen Artemia, Daphnia, mosquito larvae; feed daily. Breeding: Store harvested peat eggs dry for 8–12 weeks; hatch in shallow warm water. Compatibility: Species tank only; multiple males will fight severely.