Common name: redtail notho

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Diagnostic characteristics and definition of genus were given by Parenti (1981). Color photographs appeared in Axelrod et al. (1985) and Scheel (1990).

Size: 5 cm.

Native Range: Tropical Africa. Type locality not clearly known, may be island of Zanzibar (Scheel 1990).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Imported and released by the Hawaii State Department of Health for possible use as mosquito control agents (Kanayama 1968). Imported and used in experimental plots as potential mosquito control agents (along with other annual fishes) by University of California researchers (Dill and Cordone 1997).

Status: Failed in California and Hawaii. Kanayama (1968) listed this species as one that may become established in Hawaii; however, later accounts (e.g., Devick 1991) indicated that it did not persist.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: Nothobranchius are annual fishes; they are able to maintain permanent populations in temporary habitats by combining rapid growth and development with diapausing eggs that survive the dry season buried in the mud.

There are no known voucher specimens.

References: (click for full references)

Axelrod, H.R., W.E. Burgess, N. Pronek, and J.G. Walls. 1985. Dr. Axelrod's atlas of freshwater aquarium fishes. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Devick, W.S. 1991. Patterns of introductions of aquatic organisms to Hawaiian freshwater habitats. 189-213 in New directions in research, management and conservation of Hawaiian freshwater stream ecosystems. Proceedings of the 1990 symposium on freshwater stream biology and fisheries management, Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Dill, W.A., and A.J. Cordone. 1997. History and status of introduced fishes in California, 1871-1996. California Department of Fish and Game Fish Bulletin, volume 178.

Kanayama, R.K. 1968. Hawaii's aquatic animal introductions. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Western Association State Game and Fish Commissioners 47:123-131.

Maciolek, J.A. 1984. Exotic fishes in Hawaii and other islands of Oceania. 131-161 in W.R. Courtenay, Jr., and J.R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribution, biology, and management of exotic fishes. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Parenti, L.R. 1981. A phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of cyprinodontiform fishes (Teleostei, Atherinomorpha). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 168(4):335-557

Scheel, J.J. 1990. Atlas of killifishes of the Old World. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Nothobranchius guentheri

Author: Leo Nico, and Matt Neilson

Peer Review Date: 3/15/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.