Fish Eggs

[sjcneedshelp321]

Hi all,
well i just found a guy who sells killifish eggs and got it all sorted, but the instructions he sent arent too clear, i dont think his english is that great (hes german) so could i have some advice on how you hatch them, do you leave them out of the water untill they have hatched? that was what he wrote, thought it sounded a bit wrong though. Thanks

SC

 

[LiveLifeGoJump]

Please post what species of killifish as there are different methods for some species.

I am not the best to help you but there are others on here that can.

Try Here.

http/www.killi.co.uk/

& look here

http/www.bka.org.uk/

Hope these links help you.

 

[4ftguppy]

but the instructions he sent arent too clear, i dont think his english is that great (hes german) so could i have some advice on how you hatch them, do you leave them out of the water untill they have hatched? that was what he wrote

what species have you bought? - it can make a difference.


Annual fish, (Nothobranchius, Simpsonichthys, Austrolebias) eggs must be kept in slightly damp peat. They need a semi-dry state to develop normally

Eggs of other killies, non-annuals, can be stored either in this way, or in water.

Development is slower in a semi-dry state. The reason this is desireable is that you can 'wet' the eggs, and they should all hatch together.

This makes rearing them much easier, and prevents cannibalism. Important if they will be kept in the same tank.

Tell us more about what you've bought

 

[sjcneedshelp321]

sorry, i didnt really think that the species mattered. i bought 20 Aphyosemion australe eggs that come in peat. what do you think is the easier method?

S

 

[BigC]

Hi,
Place the eggs peat et al. in a margarine tub floated in your heated main tank with about 40mm water depth.
Place an airline in the tub set to a slow bubble. You will be able to see the eggs when the peat breaks up a little using a small magnifying glass. Remove any fungussed (white) or unfertile eggs immediatly with a small eyedropper. The eggs will hatch after 14-21 days of water incubation 74'F. Transfer fry into a large tub with a depth of around 50mm. The fry will be able to eat newly hatched brineshrimp and microworms straight away. Remove any uneaten food, cleanliness is a must if you wish to rear a good healthy batch. Perform waterchanges 3 times per week (1/3 of the actual volume) with the fry using water consistant with with what they were hatched in. As they grow gradually increase the water depth and install a small air driven sponge filter.
I hope this was of some help to you.
Regards
BigC

 

[sjcneedshelp321]

an airline? how do i do that? my water i use in the aquarium is really well oxyginated, so what about a hatchery? could i use that? would i put the eggs and peat straight in that? sorry, this is a new kinda thing for me, so i apologise for my n00byness.

Sammo

 

[BigC]

Any container that floats will do. Attach a gang-valve from the airpimp then attach a piece of airline to the gang-valve and adjust.
Is the hatchery closed bottom and not slotted like they use for livebearers.
Regards
BigC

 

[sjcneedshelp321]

im not really that sure, i havnt bought one yet. ill just see how it goes, if i will the auction etc. cheers all

 

[4ftguppy]

The peat is not really essential for plant spawners like Aphyosemion australe, however it is a good packing medium to keep the eggs safe and moist during postage. You could just put it all in water. They will hatch one by one over a day or two.

Or you can keep them on the damp peat - watch them for development, and put it all in water once you can see a little eye looking at you. Most will probably be ready by this time, and you will probably get a small group of fry.

Either way will work fine - there is no best method, just your choice.

The peat does act as a barrier so fungussed eggs don't affect good ones. In water, as previously stated, removing fungussed eggs is important.

If fungus is a real problem, best to stick to the damp peat incubation, but in reality fungussed australe eggs are most likely to be unfertilized to start with

Once they are hatched, buy an apple snail to keep with them -- this will keep your rearing tank spotlessly clean - very important for the youngsters

 

[sjcneedshelp321]

Cool, but i havnt got a spare tank at the moment, so would it be ok just keeping them in one of those hatcheries? i spoke to the man in the shop yesterday and he said that they wont hatch in hard water, so i would have to buy r.o water. so i think it would have to be the damp peat method, is this right or is he trying to con me and im falling for it lol?

Cheers
Sam

 

[BigC]

so would it be ok just keeping them in one of those hatcheries

As long as the hatchery as you call it doesen't have a slotted base, whereby the eggs will fall straight through.
Killifish eggs will hatch depending on species in moderate water conditions and as long as extreme conditions are avoided. In breeding softwater type killifish, if the water you are attempting to keep them in is too hard the eggs from the female harden and cannot be penetrated by the males milt therefore end up being unfertilised and fungus will develop. (the eggs will appear white and have hair like filiments growing around it)
What are your water stats?
Regards
BigC

 

[sjcneedshelp321]

umm well, i dont really know the hardness? how do you check that out? and nitrate:8 ammonia:0 PH:7-8 nitrite: 0