This species is widespread and common over a wide region in Mozambique. It extends into areas of southern Malawi, northern South Africa and south-eastern Zimbabwe. Habitats are abundant. Localised impacts are known from the southern range for the species, however, these impacts are not causing decline at present. Urgent taxonomic investigation is needed, as the southern population may constitute an independent species. Spotted Killifish (Nothobranchius orthonotus) is assessed as Least Concern nationally in South Africa.
Distribution
Central Mozambique coastal plain from the Zambezi River south to the lower Mkuze in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Present in a few pans in the Kruger National Park, South Africa (lower Limpopo River System). Extends into the Gona-re-Zhou National Park region of south-eastern Zimbabwe and southern Malawi (Lower Shire River).
Has been impacted by insecticide spraying and road building activities, however, these impacts are localised and are not causing overall population declines at present.
Conservation
Damage to pans and wetlands should be avoided by road builders. Aerial spraying for tsetse and mosquitos should where possible be replaced with more targeted methods e.g. traps or spraying of insect sources.
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author = {Shidlovskiy, K.M., Watters, B.R. and Wildekamp, R.H.},
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title = {Notes on the annual killifish species <i>Nothobranchius rachovii</i> (Cyprinodontiformes; Nothobranchiidae) with the description of two new species},
volume = {2724},
year = {2010}
}
,@article{61182,
author = {Fowler, H. W.},
journal = {Annals of the Natal Museum},
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title = {Natal fishes obtained by Mr. H. W. Bell-Marley},
volume = {7},
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,]
