Nothobranchius guentheri is a beautiful and popular killifish species, and its location codes are essential for maintaining pure, geographically distinct strains within the hobby.
Here is a comprehensive list of known Nothobranchius guentheri collection location codes.
Primary Location: Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
The vast majority of N. guentheri populations are found on Zanzibar (Unguja Island). The codes are typically structured as TZ (for Tanzania) followed by a number, and sometimes a letter sub-code.
| Location Code | Collection Site Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TZ 59/1 | Pingwe, Zanzibar | This is one of the most common and classic strains in the hobby. |
| TZ 59/2 | Mwera, Zanzibar | Another very common and popular strain. |
| TZ 59/3 | Chwaka, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/4 | Mfenesini, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/5 | Paje, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/6 | Makoba, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/7 | Dunga, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/8 | Bwejuu, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/9 | Jozani, Zanzibar | Located near the famous Jozani Forest. |
| TZ 59/10 | Muungoni, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/11 | Kichweani, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/12 | Upenja, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/13 | Kijini, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/14 | Kizimkazi, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/15 | Mtegani, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/16 | Kombeni, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/17 | Kiboje, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/18 | Mselem, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/19 | Mwendawima, Zanzibar | |
| TZ 59/20 | Mbuyuni, Zanzibar |
Mainland Tanzania Locations
A few populations have also been recorded on the mainland near Dar es Salaam and elsewhere.
| Location Code | Collection Site Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TZ 53/1 | Kisarawe, Tanzania | Mainland location, west of Dar es Salaam. |
| TZ 53/2 | Mbezi, Tanzania | Mainland location, north of Dar es Salaam. |
| TZ 54/1 | Ngerengere, Tanzania | Mainland location. |
Why Location Codes Matter
- Genetic Purity: Fish from different locations can have slight variations in color, pattern, size, and finnage. Breeding fish from different codes together will hybridize them, diluting these unique local characteristics, which is generally discouraged by serious killifish keepers.
- Conservation: In the hobby, maintaining a pure strain from a specific location acts as a conservation backup. The natural habitats of these fish (seasonal pools and swamps) are extremely threatened by agriculture and development.
- Accuracy: It allows hobbyists to know exactly what they are acquiring and breeding. A pair labeled N. guentheri ‘TZ 59/1’ is a specific promise of origin.
Important Considerations for Hobbyists
- The “TZ 59/” series is almost synonymous with N. guentheri. If you see a fish with a code starting with TZ 59, it is almost certainly N. guentheri from Zanzibar.
- Always request the full location code when acquiring fish from another breeder. Reputable breeders will always provide it.
- Label your own tanks meticulously with the full code to avoid accidental mixing.
- The Killifish Master Index (maintained by the Dutch Killifish Association, NKV) and the American Killifish Association (AKA) are authoritative resources for verifying and updating location data.
For the most precise and up-to-date information, especially regarding very rare codes, consulting the dedicated killifish databases or societies is highly recommended.