THE NOTHOBRANCHIUS SITE

BE_RMCA_VERT.2025.008.P.0011, male, 31.1 mm SL; DR Congo: Kay system: upper Lualaba drainage: shallow remnant pool in small seasonal riverbed, 0.5 km west of Lubule village, 07°31'47" S, 27°13'24" E, 634 m alt.; B. Katemo Manda, 17 Apr 2023 [field code: CD 23-26].

BE_RMCA_VERT.2025.008.P.0012–0020 (9).

Nothobranchius katemomandai is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique combination in male colouration of having anal fin with narrow brown submedial band, followed by a slender yellow band, a slender red-brown band and a slender dark brown distal band; and caudal fin with brown spots proximally and medially, and with slender white to light blue subdistal band and a narrow dark grey distal band.

Subgenus: Zononothobranchius

Species group: N. brieni group

Nothobranchius katemomandai was established as a species by Nagy in 2025.

DR Congo: Kay system: upper Lualaba drainage: shallow remnant pool in small seasonal riverbed, 0.5 km west of Lubule village, 07°31'47" S, 27°13'24" E, 634 m alt.

This species is endemic to seasonal freshwater habitats of the upper Congo drainage in south-eastern DR Congo. It is currently known from remnant pools in small ephemeral riverbeds associated with the Kay system in the upper Lualaba drainage. The Kay is a major right bank affluent entering the upper Lualaba below Lake Upemba.

Upper Lualaba (545)

634 m

Water parameters, measured by B. Katemo Manda at five different sites in the Kay system, where the existence of N. katemomandai has been proven, showed average values of: temperature of 28 °C; pH of 6.4; total dissolved solids of 36 ppm.

None

The species has an annual life cycle.

Embryonic development under captive conditions in peat moss is about three to four months at room temperature.

Maximum size reported: 43.2 mm SL (BE_RMCA_VERT.2025.008.P.0012–0020, paratype, male)

Not known

The specific epithet is given in honour of friend Bauchet Katemo Manda, professor at the University of Lubumbashi, the discoverer of this species, for his dedication to the research of the ichthyofauna of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exciting adventures and numerous challenges faced during joint research expeditions will always remain vivid memories.

Not evaluated

Recommended as Vulnerable in Nagy, 2025.

​     Nagy, B. 2024. Off the (badly) beaten tracks. Practical Fishkeeping, 2024: 68–76. [collecting as Nothobranchius sp. Manono]

    Nagy, B. 2025. Review of cyprinodontiform fishes in the upper Congo drainage with descriptions of four new species of seasonal Nothobranchius (Nothobranchiidae) and a new species of ‘Lacustricola’ Lampeye (Procatopodidae) in South-Eastern DR Congo. Ecology and Diversity, 2 (2), 10006. [taxonomy as Nothobranchius katemomandai, distribution, ecology]