{"product_id":"nothobranchius-cardinalis-nothobranchius-cardinalis","title":"Nothobranchius Cardinalis | Nothobranchius cardinalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothobranchius cardinalis is a small, jewel-like African killifish, with males blazing a deep cardinal red over metallic scaling. Reaching only around 5 cm, it is dazzling but short-lived: like all Nothobranchius it is an annual killifish, naturally living around a year. It is a fascinating specialist that rewards an aquarist willing to work with its unusual life cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species comes from seasonal pools and swamps in south-eastern Tanzania. These temporary waters fill with the rains and dry out completely in the dry season, which is why the fish lives fast, matures quickly and leaves drought-resistant eggs buried in the mud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are the showpiece, an intense red with fine metallic patterning and red-edged fins, reaching around 5 cm. Females are smaller, plainer and silvery-brown, as is typical for the genus. Colour intensifies as males mature and display to one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful towards other species, but males spar with each other and display constantly, so either keep a single male or provide space and cover in a larger tank for several. It is also an accomplished jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. It is usually kept in a species tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that strongly prefers live and frozen foods. Offer bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and similar; some individuals will take quality frozen foods readily but many ignore dry flake. A rich diet supports their fast growth and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a calm, well-planted tank with soft, slightly acidic water, gentle filtration and subdued lighting. Keeping them towards the cooler end of their range can help extend their naturally short lifespan. Because of their annual life cycle and specialist feeding, they are best suited to an advanced or dedicated keeper. Always use a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn annual, substrate-spawning killifish. Pairs dive into a soft peat or sand base to lay eggs, which then undergo a diapause (a resting phase) in barely damp peat for several weeks to months, mimicking the dry season. Re-wetting the peat triggers hatching. This remarkable strategy is the classic way these killifish are bred and shared between hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNothobranchius cardinalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCardinal Killifish, Cardinalis Notho\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-eastern Tanzania (seasonal pools)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5 cm (males; females smaller)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 1 year (annual killifish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to other species; males spar; a jumper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–60 litres (species tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore – live and frozen foods preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–10 dGH (soft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies tanks and killifish keepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes – plant safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept as a species-only tank. If companions are wanted, choose only small, peaceful, soft-water fish in a larger aquarium, but be aware killifish are usually happiest and breed best on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoisterous, fast or fin-nipping fish that will outcompete or harass them, larger predators, and any species needing hard, alkaline water. Multiple males in a small tank should also be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232878412067,"sku":"AA2622","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/nothobranchius-cardinalis-no-43091600113955-lv.webp?v=1790307471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/nothobranchius-cardinalis-nothobranchius-cardinalis","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}