Hatching Killifish

[Lyla]

Hi There,

Im hoping for some hints and tips!!

I have recently purchased some killifish (fundulopanchax) eggs that will arrive after xmas. There will be abour 20-30 depending on how productive the parents are

Now, i have kept these before, but never bred or raised them. I have bred and raised bettas.

The guy im buying them from has given me some information, and i've found some online of course. I am planning to put them in a large container within the tank (like one of those fry net things), temperature around 24-26 celcius and with lots of oxygen!! I have been advised to let the fry out once they are a couple of weeks old and eating and swimming well.

Can anyone give me any tips to increase success of hatching/raising! I was planning to just use gravel substrate, and i have a variety of plants. They will be in a species only tank until they are big enough to go in with my BN plec.

Also, what sort of food would be ideal for these fry? I have found limited information, but what i have found seems to indicate that the food i gave my bettas would be suitable - BBS, Infusoria and egg food to start with. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[q a manager]

Hi Lyla,
I have been a big killie nut for the last 20 years. I always kept my eggs in a cup of aquarium water with a little methylene blue to tint the water. They will typically hatch in about 14 days at 75 F. Since yours will be several days to a week old, I would expect them to hatch in a week or less. Once they hatch you can place them in a small container that you can float in their tank. Leave them in the small container for a few days at least so they don't get trapped in the gravel.
For a first food I would go with either bbs or micro worms. Infusoria and egg powder are much too small from them. Treat them like you are feeding a baby guppy, they like the same things.
As far as substrate, I am a great believer in bare tanks. Not very asthetically pleasing but much easier to maintain.
Good luck with your killies, they are addictive.
Take care,
Joe in St. Louis MO


Hi There,

Im hoping for some hints and tips!!

I have recently purchased some killifish (fundulopanchax) eggs that will arrive after xmas. There will be abour 20-30 depending on how productive the parents are

Now, i have kept these before, but never bred or raised them. I have bred and raised bettas.

The guy im buying them from has given me some information, and i've found some online of course. I am planning to put them in a large container within the tank (like one of those fry net things), temperature around 24-26 celcius and with lots of oxygen!! I have been advised to let the fry out once they are a couple of weeks old and eating and swimming well.

Can anyone give me any tips to increase success of hatching/raising! I was planning to just use gravel substrate, and i have a variety of plants. They will be in a species only tank until they are big enough to go in with my BN plec.

Also, what sort of food would be ideal for these fry? I have found limited information, but what i have found seems to indicate that the food i gave my bettas would be suitable - BBS, Infusoria and egg food to start with. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
[/quote]

 

[Lyla]

Hi Joe,

Thank you for the reply, that was exactly what i was hoping for!!

I shall go with the bare tank (can always put some of them in my pretty main tank when they're fully grown afterall!!) and will try the cup thing, what a good idea.

I will let you know how i do. Im really excited about my new project!!

 

[BigC]

Feed the fry 3-4 times a day, work schedule permitting, Bare tank as above with a slow trickle from an airline. Keep the tank clean and perform bi daily waterchanges which will improve growth rates considerably. Feed BBS and microworm to start with, then on to grindalworm and small whiteworms. Always try to give finly ground flake as well to balance the diet.
Regards
BigC

 

[Lyla]

Thanks for the replies.

Well, the first batch of collected eggs died over xmas as the guy admitted he did not have time to look after them lol ~We're all busy over xmas! He asked if i wanted refund or for him to collect more, i said i would like him to collect some more.

They arrived today so i have put them in a smaller container to hatch. The guy i bought them from said they should hatch in 10-14 days so fingers crossed!!!

Thanks for all the help, its much appreciated.

 

[Amerce]

What species did you buy ?

 

[Lyla]

Fundulopanchax Nigerianus

 

[BigC]

Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus
Nice easy species.
Good luck with the hatching
Regards
BigC

 

[Lyla]

Nice easy species.

Dont speak too soon

 

[fishman 1]

Hi Lyla

How you getting on with your baby killi's? Had any hatch?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Lyla]

Hi There,

Did exactly as i was told by you guys and the person i bought them from. He said they'd hatch in 10-14 days and its been about 20 and none have hatched

Thanks for all the help though...

 

[Amerce]

When you checked the peat were the eggs white or clear ?

If they were clear did you see any changes in them, did they develop a little black dot in the middle ?

Get back to the guy you bought the eggs from and tell him that you have had zero hatch rate and see if he can help you.

 

[BigC]

They'll sometimes take 21-28 days to hatch depending on location and how they have been incubated (water/peat)
A small hand magnifying lens would be useful to you for looking at the eggs, by this stage the fry should be clearly visible and a pair of eyes will be staring right back at you through the egg membrane.
Regards
BigC