Fish Folk Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) Here is the start of a new journal. I am going to have a go at doing some breeding of "annual killifish." These are notoriously challenging, compared to the non-annuals. They mature in ca. 6 weeks from hatching, and live no longer than 1 year. They must be bred in order to propagate the species. Eggs are pulled, dried, and must go through a 3-6 month "dormant" phase before being hatched out in water. I am going to go with the popular, vibrant species Nothobranchius rachovii biera 98 (typically just called "blue nothos")" I am dedicating three small aquariums to the project, along with other jugs and bins for hatching, etc. Here is a lovely video showing them in a community setting eating Grindal worms: Here is another community set up eating Black-worms featuring some lovely displays by the males: Here is a pair spawning over substrate (not ideal scenario for gathering eggs, but representative of their constant drive to reproduce): I've placed a big for a pair online. We'll see if I win it. I plan to buy some adults, and then also to try to order in some eggs to experience the process of hatching them out from mail-order eggs. I'll document the whole process as I experience it and learn right here on this CARE Forum Journal. Hope you enjoy! Edited December 15, 2022 by Fish Folk 4 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Wow! They really are gorgeous! Following this, for sure! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 I'll be following this! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 I plan on landing my first pair of Blue Nothos here in this 10 gal. I’ve been adding Java Fernlets from various tanks. There’s a frond of water Wisteria (hygro difformis), some scraps of Anacharis, several marimo moss balls, sone demoralized Java moss, and the ever ubiquitous duckweed. Theres a shell from the Outer banks, a random stone, a heater (set for mid-70’s-F) and two small sponge filters. Lighting is a common small 5,000-K shop LED. Glass lid is sealed off well with plastic strip to keep jumpers at bay. I’ve been reading that a lot of Blue Nothos keepers use aquarium salt. But there’s enough evidence for luscious, planted tanks among other keepers. For now, I’ll just aim to keep them happily a few weeks before adjusting for breeding. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Here’s me, always ORD but trying to encourage my fellow fish keepers to, well, keep up the good work! Maybe you can find a random, unused container and put some of your demoralized Java moss to good use in our new, “It’s not a contest” ‘Scapes from Scraps. I’m sure you must have a random bit around that will hold water! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 This is a great interview with a Killi breeder. I love how he uses a plastic hardware drawer-cabinet for hatching out a bunch of different Killis. This is so much fun! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 On 2/5/2022 at 3:21 PM, Fish Folk said: This is a great interview with a Killi breeder. I love how he uses a plastic hardware drawer-cabinet for hatching out a bunch of different Killis. This is so much fun! I really like this interview. I’ve seen that one before but it’s always good to watch stuff again. I pick up new stuff every time I watch an interview like that, especially with a fish room walk through. Super knowledgeable guy and what great life experiences! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) Had a fascinating talk with a master killifish breeder tonight. He’s been an aquarist for 60+ years, and keeps a nice haul of 75 tanks going in retirement. We had been put in contact by a mutual killi keeper with my offer to share some f. Scheeli and search for N. rachovii. He suggested we talk by phone. It was like walking into a living killifish encyclopedia. Loved it! Long story short… I think I might consider doing a slightly easier annual killi first before taking the plunge into N. rachovii. He recommended I consider these guys: Nothobtanchius guentheri. Basically, the drying out period before hatching is only about 8-weeks instead of 3-6 months. Reality is, I’d maybe get to enjoy a bunch of fry before adults die with these whereas the N. rachovii stock could be completely wiped out before I’d ever know whether the eggs I pulled were viable. As far as feeding / water quality / breeding… got some good tips. They do not do so well with frequent water changes. Care needs to be taken not to foul the water with over-feeding. Chopped up live black worms is excellent food for getting stock into breeding quality. Several trios is better than a single pair, in order to spread out breeding pressure and intensity. The best peat moss is this: You boil it, drain it, reboil, and keep the thick sinking chunks. Edited February 6, 2022 by Fish Folk 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) Here’s a look at a bunch of male n. guentheri — you can keep them like this to spread out aggression, much like African cichlid’s: Edited February 6, 2022 by Fish Folk 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrey Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 🤩 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 This will be fun and informative to follow. Thanks for all your journals, they're the best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 Sounds like you have access to good advice, and I think starting with the easier species makes sense. I'm following just as gleefully with the species shift! Looking forward to the journey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 Caved. Totally caved. Too beautiful to get out of mind. I just ordered three pairs of Nothobranchious rachovii. Males can look somewhat different, depending on genetics, age, water, etc. I'm going to give these a go and see what happens. I've definitely dealt with a lot of high-strung aquarists, insisting that the parameters have to be "X" or "Y" and going on and on about their own philosophies. Enough. I'm going to make my own mistakes, and find my own rhythm with these. Most Killi breeders keep stark, bare tanks. Nonsense. Fish love plants. I'm keeping mine with plants! I'll find ways for them to adapt. I do know that they'll want live foods, so I need to be very attentive to what they actually eat and don't eat. Wish me good luck, Forum! Shipping alone will be a risk . . . 3 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 On 2/7/2022 at 2:25 AM, Fish Folk said: Caved. Totally caved. Too beautiful to get out of mind. I just ordered three pairs of Nothobranchious rachovii. Males can look somewhat different, depending on genetics, age, water, etc. I'm going to give these a go and see what happens. I've definitely dealt with a lot of high-strung aquarists, insisting that the parameters have to be "X" or "Y" and going on and on about their own philosophies. Enough. I'm going to make my own mistakes, and find my own rhythm with these. Most Killi breeders keep stark, bare tanks. Nonsense. Fish love plants. I'm keeping mine with plants! I'll find ways for them to adapt. I do know that they'll want live foods, so I need to be very attentive to what they actually eat and don't eat. Wish me good luck, Forum! Shipping alone will be a risk . . . If anyone can do this, it’s you, @Fish Folk! I have complete confidence in you! There’s nothing that says you can’t try both. Might give you the benefit of more immediate feedback while you’re waiting on pins and needles for your first clutch of the N. rachovii eggs to hatch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Awesome. Can't wait to see this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 On 2/7/2022 at 2:25 AM, Fish Folk said: Caved. Totally caved. On 2/7/2022 at 2:25 AM, Fish Folk said: I'm going to make my own mistakes, and find my own rhythm with these. Good! I was secretly hoping you'd make this decision. Not only do you need to make mistakes to learn, believe you have enough experience and talent to quickly figure out what is going on with these little gems. Glad you took the plunge! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 Out shopping for “Killi-fixings” this morning. First stop: Americano + Everything bagel with Maryland Crab cream cheese! Next, picked up some clever plastic dishes at a dollar store along with an ECA to knife to cut neat holes in the top. These are peat trays for Killis to breed in. Drop boiled peat into them, and let these set on bottom on tank. Killis breed in the morning. After two weeks, take out the peat, dry, and package for 5 months or so… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 Got enough peat moss to last a Killi breeder his entire career 🤣 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyGenusCaps Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 On 2/7/2022 at 8:12 AM, Fish Folk said: Got enough peat moss to last a Killi breeder his entire career As a connoisseur of peatmoss (not a joke, don't ask), I'd like to say, that stuff is awesome! Also Maryland crab cream cheese sounds great! Plus, a bagel. We don't have anything like good bagles around here. They are like Wonderbread™ rounds. So disappointing. Looks like you are off to a great start! Quick question, do the eggs need months to dry (i.e. really slow drying), or can they dry quickly and just need to be stored dry for months? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) On 2/7/2022 at 9:27 AM, OnlyGenusCaps said: Quick question, do the eggs need months to dry (i.e. really slow drying), or can they dry quickly and just need to be stored dry for months? As I understand it, you let them dry in the peat moss, laid out for several hours - spread on white paper in open air. Then once dry, you carefully store in a zip lock baggie, label species and date, and store at ca. 75°-F for 5 months. Then, you just plop the peat moss + eggs into a hatching container, and they hatch within 24-72 hrs. Some Killi keepers check the eggs a few months in to see if any are “eyed-up.” You can literally see the eyes… Edited February 7, 2022 by Fish Folk 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 Got a boiling pot for boiling peat moss! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Cut hole in lid of breeding dish… Not absolutely perfect, but will do the trick! Killis can get in, spawn over peat moss, and get out. Edited February 7, 2022 by Fish Folk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Added some ludwigia repens from other f. Scheeli Killi tank to bring in some red / pink plant coloration to this soon-to-be n. rachovii tank. I might order a melon sword from CoOp too. They’re so nice… Added some… hygro?? … it’s been growing away in my Goodeid tank… Edited February 7, 2022 by Fish Folk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 With boiled, sinking, thick peat moss in 1/2 of this container, here’s how the breeding setup will look… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd Duck Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Looks like an awesome plan! You’re ready! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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