I just heard from my fellow AKA member that he’s sending my Nothobranchius guentherii Zanzibar this week . I have my 5 gallon all set up with the spawning jar with coconut coir . Any luck and I’ll get eggs soon .
Nothobranchius breeding set up .
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I hope you'll keep us posted. I've decided to try Nothos I haven't kept this Spring, and guentheri Zanzibar is one I'm going to go hunting for.
OP
OP
Did you notice ? No heater . The aquarium is staying 74 degrees without one .
Good luck! Looking forward to seeing the successful results.
As for heaters, I cannot remember when the last time was that the heaters were on in my killie tanks. Temp fluctuates between 68F and 75F and I've had no complaints.
As for heaters, I cannot remember when the last time was that the heaters were on in my killie tanks. Temp fluctuates between 68F and 75F and I've had no complaints.
One of the reasons I've decided to go in a Nothobranchius direction this Spring, is fishroom temperature. It's a little warmer than I like over the entire year, and I can't bring it down. With the insulation and the dehumidifier, it stays at 22-23 without the heating coming on, even in a Canadian winter.
A lot of my Aphyosemion killies don't seem to like that. So, I have to adapt to the conditions, and I think some Nothos could be interesting to try. It's a whole different way to keep fish.
But in my past attempts with keeping Nothos, I have noticed they like the kinds of temperatures I can offer. What I read confirms that. My favourite so far has been rubripinnis. I bought eggs from some of the rarer ones 2 years ago, but got no hatches. The mail is a cruel environment, because the person who sent them is absolutely trustworthy, but the eggs were gone - decomposed because of something unknown that happened en route. I've mailed eggs to myself, with Chromaphyosemions, and had the peat arrive empty or 20% hatches - we tend to be overly optimistic about the chances of living eggs surviving. In about 60% of my egg buys, enough have to make it worthwhile though.
I'll see what's on offer his Spring when it's warmer, and there'll be a few of us here to compare notes.
A lot of my Aphyosemion killies don't seem to like that. So, I have to adapt to the conditions, and I think some Nothos could be interesting to try. It's a whole different way to keep fish.
But in my past attempts with keeping Nothos, I have noticed they like the kinds of temperatures I can offer. What I read confirms that. My favourite so far has been rubripinnis. I bought eggs from some of the rarer ones 2 years ago, but got no hatches. The mail is a cruel environment, because the person who sent them is absolutely trustworthy, but the eggs were gone - decomposed because of something unknown that happened en route. I've mailed eggs to myself, with Chromaphyosemions, and had the peat arrive empty or 20% hatches - we tend to be overly optimistic about the chances of living eggs surviving. In about 60% of my egg buys, enough have to make it worthwhile though.
I'll see what's on offer his Spring when it's warmer, and there'll be a few of us here to compare notes.
OP
OP
I got the e-mail from my guy this afternoon . Three pairs are in the mail and I should have them Friday . Killie people are the best . This guy only wanted postage and no money for the fish because they’re already seven months old . That CAN be old for a true annual like Nothobranchius but all I need is for one male and one female to feel the need to perpetuate the species and enter my spawning jar . I get eggs and I’m on my way . I’m excited about this !
That's fun! Waste no time, and have a couple of spawning jars ready.
They vary by species, but I have a lonely male rubripinnis whose partner died soon after arrival, before they had spawned. He is over a year now. I thought he was a goner a couple of months ago as he seemed to be fading, but he rallied and is still busy looking for trouble. I doubt he'd be super fertile now, but he's a fish I've come to like a lot.
It isn't good to become too attached to individual annual fish though. As a breeder, I look at fish as projects for several generations, and I try to keep the life flowing. But they are alert, lively little fish.
They vary by species, but I have a lonely male rubripinnis whose partner died soon after arrival, before they had spawned. He is over a year now. I thought he was a goner a couple of months ago as he seemed to be fading, but he rallied and is still busy looking for trouble. I doubt he'd be super fertile now, but he's a fish I've come to like a lot.
It isn't good to become too attached to individual annual fish though. As a breeder, I look at fish as projects for several generations, and I try to keep the life flowing. But they are alert, lively little fish.
OP
OP
I’m on pins and needles today . I just checked the USPS tracking and my Nothobranchius are to be delivered today . Last night on Nature on PBS was the episode” The Elephant and The Termite .” A fair amount of the episode showed Nothobranchius breeding and told about their lifecycle in temporary rainy season puddles .
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Update : I thought I would go check the mail and they’re here ! Six live Nothobranchius guentheri Zanzibar . Excuse me for a bit while I tend to them .
Oh, I know the feeling. Just finished the pins-and-needles episode tracking UPS for a shipment from WetSpot--a dozen Pethia setnai--to replenish the remains of my 7-year old tribe. They've been nowhere to be found for a while now. And apparently I wasn't the only one waiting. They sold out in a day. They arrived in great shape and a bit early. Wish you the same.
Not mine, (I take awful pics), but this is what they look like.
P.S. We crossed in the wires. I see they got there. Great!
Not mine, (I take awful pics), but this is what they look like.
P.S. We crossed in the wires. I see they got there. Great!
OP
OP
And now the acclimation process begins .
Do you have fry yet?
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OP
Got them bedded down for the night . Check on them first thing in the morning and see if they’re hungry after their travels .
I'll be interested to see how the males cope with each other in a small, bare tank. That's one of my concerns with future annual keeping.
OP
OP
The males are frisky . They spar with each other but not so much that they hurt each other . It seems more like trying to set up a hierarchy amongst themselves . They were hungry and they ate this morning . All six are still alive and looking good . One male entered the spawning jar but no female could be enticed just yet . It’s early days and I expect it to be a week or so before they settle down into a routine in their new home . The guy I got them from said he had over a hundred in a 55 and that’s where these came from . One thing is certainly a fact . These are really pretty fish . The colors are so vivid .
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