Challenges in keeping annual killifish

Abstract Turquoise killifish, Nothobranchius furzeri, is a naturally short-lived fish with applications across biomedical, ecotoxicological, and evolutionary research. In this chapter, we describe the challenges for their captive breeding and discuss current approaches to mitigate them. We first present the availability of different strains of N. furzeri (and of other Nothobranchius species) for experimental work and outline their differences. We then provide updates on the existing laboratory maintenance and breeding protocols, describe the course, peculiarities, and potential pitfalls of N. furzeri embryo development, summarize the current stage of approach to diet standardization, and define major health issues associated with keeping N. furzeri and other Nothobranchius species.