Investigation of biological and ecological characteristics of Bluefin Notho Nothobranchius rachovii Ahl, 1926 (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) as one of the freshwater aquarium fish: A review

Ornamental aquaculture is a leading and profitable industry in Iran. One of the essential needs for the development of this industry is the introduction of popular species. Therefore, it is necessary for experts and breeders of ornamental aquatics to introduce important ornamental species around the world and provide their ecological and biological characteristics, and reproduction techniques. To achieve this goal, the present study was conducted to review the biological and ecological characteristics of one of the most popular ornamental fish species in the world, Bluefin Notho (Nothobranchius rachovii). According to the literature review, the Bluefin Notho is a peaceful species of the family Cyprinodontidae, which was first described in 1926 from Beira, Mozambique. The distribution range of this species in Africa includes temporary ponds and swamps or pits full of water that are exposed to drying annually. This species often prefers habitats with muddy beds and minimal minerals. It lives in habitats that have muddy beds with acidic water and minimal minerals. As the water level decreases, the Bluefin Notho lays its eggs inside the mud and preserves them until the water level returns to its previous state. These fish can withstand harsh conditions in their natural habitat and can spawn and hatch in wet seasons. The presented data can be used to develop the aquaculture industry in the freshwater aquarium fish sector especially in the breeding and maintenance of Bluefin Notho.