hatching Killifish eggs

[itvilcu]

I have had my tank set up for about 3 years now, and absolutely love my fish. I have recently started SUCCESSFULLY breeding fish (guppies, platys, etc). Since Feb I have had about 800 babies from the guppies and platys. I have actually had to set up a few more tanks for the babies (the first batch of babies, I didnt know were coming, and my cichlid had a great lunch!!!), and to seperate the males and females.

I recently ordered some killifish eggs, to experiment with. Any of the babies that I have had, have been live babies, so I dont have the slightest clue on dealing with eggs. If anyone has any input, it would be greatly appreciated.

Tracie
itvilcu@sasktel.net

 

[Toirtis]

Hello neighbour. I have been doing killies for awhile (have about 6 batches of eggs I will be hatching myself the next few months). First, do you have a microworm culture (baby killies are small, and need small food)?

Just out of curiosity, where/who did you get your killie eggs from?

 

[LunchBox]

it's about time I saw some killie folks in here I haven't raised any myself, but I've done a TON of reading on them since I was planning on keeping some in a 10g tank soon. the best info available that I've found is at the american killifish association

check out the beginner guide in particular and you'll get a real good idea of what you're in for

there are a few other sites out there with good info, but half of them were under construction last time i checked, and some places just had pictures with no helpful information.

also, be aware that most killies don't have "regular" names like other fish. almost all of them are called by their scientific names, which will be a big help when you go to find more info on your specific strain

good luck and I can't wait to hear about your experiences with the killies

 

[itvilcu]

where did I get them?

Hello neighbour. I have been doing killies for awhile (have about 6 batches of eggs I will be hatching myself the next few months). First, do you have a microworm culture (baby killies are small, and need small food)?

Just out of curiosity, where/who did you get your killie eggs from?

Since this is my first time with them, I didnt want to invest alot of money in them just to have it all flushed down the toilet anyways. So, I just got some off ebay, from Thailand (I THINK!!!). I figured that would be a good first experience for me. It wasnt till I was looking on ebay, that I SAW them!!!!

As for the microworm culture, no, I dont have any of that. I was going to go to the pet store in the next few days, and talk to the lady there and see if she knew what to feed them. But, now that I know, I will have to see if she has some in, or if she can order it in for me............I think my eggs should be here this week sometime!

 

[MDcrinos]

I just got some off ebay, from Thailand (I THINK!!!). I figured that would be a good first experience for me. It wasnt till I was looking on ebay, that I SAW them!!!!

That's cool! I've been lurking on several of those auctions myself, haven't worked up the nerve to try it yet. I think I would really enjoy trying Killies. If you don't mind would you post your results? I'm sure a lot of us would give it a try if they knew how it went.

 

[LunchBox]

I always get intimidated by the idea of trying to maintain a population with limited space. especially with annuals! I worry about inbreeding and all sorts of stuff that I'm sure is just over-reaction..... although it could be well founded... I don't know! :duh:

I think non-annuals would be the best place to start as they tend to live for a few years as opposed to annuals. gives you more chances to perfect your breeding tactics and to aquire all the space you need for fry fortunately a mating pair only need a very small tank to live in (think betta type space but for 2 fish)

 

[Toirtis]

Since this is my first time with them, I didnt want to invest alot of money in them just to have it all flushed down the toilet anyways. So, I just got some off ebay, from Thailand (I THINK!!!). I figured that would be a good first experience for me. It wasnt till I was looking on ebay, that I SAW them!!!!

What species did you order?

I suggest buying from a chap in BC...he goes by 'holdings' on aquabid....excellent selection (mostly nothos), great prices, and great shipping (he has 6 batches of eggs on Aquabid right now, all ending about midnight: http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwkillifishe ).

{quote]As for the microworm culture, no, I dont have any of that. I was going to go to the pet store in the next few days, and talk to the lady there and see if she knew what to feed them. But, now that I know, I will have to see if she has some in, or if she can order it in for me............I think my eggs should be here this week sometime![/QUOTE]

You can buy a microworm culture online, or get one from a fellow aquarist (I could even mail you some unless you regularly go into Regina). FW rotifers work too, but cultures are more difficult to find.

Do you know when the eggs you purchased will be ready for hatching?

 

[itvilcu]

What species did you order?

I suggest buying from a chap in BC...he goes by 'holdings' on aquabid....excellent selection (mostly nothos), great prices, and great shipping (he has 6 batches of eggs on Aquabid right now, all ending about midnight: http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwkillifishe ).

{quote]As for the microworm culture, no, I dont have any of that. I was going to go to the pet store in the next few days, and talk to the lady there and see if she knew what to feed them. But, now that I know, I will have to see if she has some in, or if she can order it in for me............I think my eggs should be here this week sometime!

You can buy a microworm culture online, or get one from a fellow aquarist (I could even mail you some unless you regularly go into Regina). FW rotifers work too, but cultures are more difficult to find.

Do you know when the eggs you purchased will be ready for hatching?[/QUOTE]

These are the two types of killifish I am getting eggs from:
40 handcounted eggs of Notho.Eggersi Kigongo TAN 05/43
Notho.rachovii beira 98 50 eggs
(those are copied and pasted from the ebay auction).

I really do not know when the killifish eggs are suppose to hatch. I was reading somewhere, and it said they have a gestation of 21 days, but I dont know how old the eggs are though.........I have an email out to this guy, so hopefully he will answer my questions!

I did go to the pet store this morning (and yes, ended up buying MORE fish....bought another jack dempsey!!). She doesnt have the microworm in, and said she could order it in, but I know how that works with this pet store!!). I have to go to Regina on Friday, to pick up my husband from the air port (he works over seas), so I SHOULD be able to pick some up there........if not, I will let you know.

 

[Toirtis]

These are the two types of killifish I am getting eggs from:
40 handcounted eggs of Notho.Eggersi Kigongo TAN 05/43
Notho.rachovii beira 98 50 eggs
(those are copied and pasted from the ebay auction).

Good buy...nothos are by far my favourites, and you have two very nice locales there.

I really do not know when the killifish eggs are suppose to hatch. I was reading somewhere, and it said they have a gestation of 21 days, but I dont know how old the eggs are though.........I have an email out to this guy, so hopefully he will answer my questions!

Find out the laying date, and then you can figure out the optimum amount of time for diapause, and hatch them then. Most Notho species eggs should be 'wet' 12-16 weeks after being laid.

I did go to the pet store this morning (and yes, ended up buying MORE fish....bought another jack dempsey!!). She doesnt have the microworm in, and said she could order it in, but I know how that works with this pet store!!). I have to go to Regina on Friday, to pick up my husband from the air port (he works over seas), so I SHOULD be able to pick some up there........if not, I will let you know.

Shops almost never have any....your best bet is from an aquarist in Regina....I would ask someone in the Regina Aquarium Society ( http://www.reginaaquariumsociety.ca/ ) and arrange to get some off them when you are there.

 

[itvilcu]

Find out the laying date, and then you can figure out the optimum amount of time for diapause, and hatch them then. Most Notho species eggs should be 'wet' 12-16 weeks after being laid.

The one guy emailed me back about the eggs. Killifish ,Notho.rachovii Beira eggs were collected on 26/06/2006 incubation at 29'c = 8 weeks

Now, I just wonder exactly how long these eggs will take to get to me, considering they are coming from Thailand!!!