Nothobranchius ugandensis

Adults reach about 6 cm. Males are usually larger than females and have more intense colour. Their body is blue with a maroon edge on each scale. Red pigment dominates the back, dorsal fin and tail. Females are pale grey with translucent, colourless fins.

This fish is native to Africa. It lives in shallow streams and small rivers that form the drainage system of lakes Albert, Kyoga and Victoria in Kenya and Uganda. Its typical habitat is a shallow, turbid pool with a silty bottom that dries out in the dry season. Aquatic plants are usually absent from such places.

Males show strong territorial behaviour and can be aggressive toward other males. Females are peaceful. In a small tank, keep one male with several females. This species gets along well with other fish of similar size, but avoid other Nothobranchius species.

For a group of 4–5 fish, the minimum tank volume should be 40 litres. They are undemanding: maintain the proper water pH and dH, keep the temperature within acceptable limits, and remove organic waste such as uneaten food and droppings regularly. Tank décor is a matter of choice. If you plan to breed them, use soft fibrous peat, coir fibre or specialized spawning substrate. Lighting should be dimmed, as excess light can fade the males' colours. Floating plants both shade the tank and help prevent the fish from jumping out.

Ask suppliers about the diet. Most often it consists of live or frozen foods. Some breeders successfully train these fish to dry flakes, pellets and other specialized foods.

Breeding Nothobranchius ugandensis is a lengthy and challenging process unsuitable for beginners. It requires recreating natural conditions. In the wild, these fish spawn at the end of the wet season as drought approaches. Eggs are laid in the substrate, and as the water dries out, the fertilized eggs remain dormant in semi-dry substrate for several months until the rains return. When the pools refill, fry hatch and grow very quickly, reaching sexual maturity by 6–7 weeks.

These fish are hardy and undemanding. Disease usually appears only if conditions deteriorate significantly. In a balanced tank ecosystem, health problems are typically absent.

When choosing Nothobranchius ugandensis, inspect the fish carefully for signs of oodinium, to which this species is highly susceptible. A healthy fish should be active, with clean fins and no coating or white spots on the body. Avoid fish that look lethargic, stay at the surface, or have damaged scales. Given the short lifespan of this species, it is best to buy young fish so you can observe their development over the longest possible time.