Nothobranchius eggersi Location Codes

The location codes for Nothobranchius eggersi are crucial for maintaining the genetic purity and specific characteristics of the different populations found in the wild.

Here is a list of known and documented location codes for Nothobranchius eggersi:

Primary Location Codes

The most common and widely distributed location codes are:

  • ****KEA 98/17: This is one of the most common and iconic strains in the hobby. It’s known for its intense red coloration in males.
    • Location: Near the town of Msata, Tanzania.
  • ****KEA 99/08: Another very popular strain with beautiful coloration, often a bit more yellow-orange compared to the deep red of KEA 98/17.
    • Location: Pongwe area, Tanzania.
  • ****TAN 12/12: A location code for a population with specific color patterns.
    • Location: Mkwaja area, Tanzania.

Other Documented Location Codes

Several other populations have been collected and are maintained by dedicated hobbyists:

  • TAN 03/03
  • TAN 06/06
  • TAN 12/02 (from Mwenyi, Tanzania)
  • TAN 12/03 (from Kigombe, Tanzania)
  • TAN 12/04
  • TAN 12/05 (from Mafufuni, Tanzania)
  • TAN 12/06
  • TAN 12/07
  • TAN 12/08
  • TAN 12/09
  • TAN 12/10
  • TAN 12/11
  • TAN 13/09

Why Location Codes Matter

  1. Genetic Purity: Nothobranchius eggersi from different locations can have significant variations in color, pattern, size, and fin shape. Mixing populations (e.g., breeding a male from KEA 98/17 with a female from TAN 12/12) will create hybrids, diluting the unique traits of each wild population. This is generally frowned upon in the killifish community, which prizes conservation of pure strains.
  2. Accurate Identification: The location code is the “surname” of the fish. Simply calling it “Nothobranchius eggersi” is incomplete. The full, proper identification is Nothopbranchius eggersi “KEA 98/17”.
  3. Conservation Value: Many of these fish inhabit temporary water holes in specific regions that are threatened by human activity. Maintaining pure strains in captivity acts as a living ark to preserve biodiversity.

How to Interpret the Codes

  • KEA: An older code standing for Kenya/Tanzania (the border region where many species are found).
  • TAN: Code for Tanzania.
  • The Numbers (e.g., 98/17): The first part (98) is typically the last two digits of the year of collection (1998). The second part (17) is the collection number for that season or year, assigned by the collector or institution (like the Killifish Foundation of the Netherlands).

Killifish Breeding