Clown Killies

[fishboytoo]

I am looking to convert my current 38L tank into a dedicated long term breeding setup for Pseudoepiplatys annlatus. It is fairly well planted with java fern, java moss, rotala, red luwidgia, bacopa, and hornwort. From what I have read putting six fish in should result in a self sustaining/growing population without any special effort on my part. However, I have also read(and been told at the LFS) that males will fight. Now does this mean I have to get 5 females and one male or is this untrue? Is this whole six fish idea reasonable? The LFS told me to only keep one clown killi in the tank, but that other killi species could be added. This doesn't seem like it would be a successful way to propagate the species. At least that's what my knowledge of biology tells me.

I was also wondering about the pH requirement for these fish. I have read that they require acidic pH, but I have also seen info stating they can be in the low 7 range(which is where mine is). Isn't the internet a wonderful source of often conflicting information? I have begun adding CO2(DIY) to hopefully lower the pH. I was thinking, might peat be good for this also? My water is ~5dH, should be soft enough I think.

Also, I currently have a dwarf african frog and two mystery snails in this tank which I was hoping could stay in there. Does this seem like it would be a problem? I suspect the frog may enjoy the fry, but I don't have another good place for him. I was hoping the snails could control any algae.

Sorry if this is too long-winded. Any advice to aid me in this endeavor would be welcome, and I'm sure my future little killies will be grateful as well.

 

[BigC]

You should not have been keeping Pseudepiplatys annulatus (Clown Killifish, Rocket Panchax) in with those tankmates, they are too placid and delicate, even the guppies would give them a hard time.

Here follows a personal account on how to keep and breed this small species.
Get hold of a tank 18"x8"x8" set it up with no substrate. Add a small air driven sponge filter and set it to a trickle. Place in the tank 4-5 synthetic floating spawning mops. Light the tank if possible and cover the surface with the floating plant Salvinia. (this will subdue the tank and make the likelyhood of jumping virtually non-existant)
Water is fairly soft and slightly acid pH 6.4. Temperature is around 75'F. The males can be quite quarrelsome so I would add 1 male to 3-4 females to this setup.
As for feeding, they will accept finely crushed flake but I prefer to give them live where possible. Adults love newly hatched Artemia nauplii, and Grindalworm.
They are predominatly surface dwellers and they will spawn mostly in the top of the mops and on the roots of the floating plants. The eggs hatch in 12-14 days. I prefer to breed these in this natural method setup because of two reasons. (1) the fry are very small upon hatching and need to have micro foods for a month or so and they seem to find them amongst the plant material (I also culture infusoria to be sure). (2) The eggs are very small and I do not like to handle them.
I perform 30% water changes on a weekly basis and Blackwater Extract is added.
Snails are an enemy to the killifish breeder as they will consume the eggs. So make sure you dont introduce any with the plants.
I would say that they are not very prolific (compared to larger species) and the road to sexual maturity is a long and slow process. (So you will have to be patient)
I hope this was of some help to you
Regards
BigC