Help with setting a breeding container

[Karen B.]

Greetings!

I have Clown killifish (1 male, 3 females) and the male and one female seems to be laying eggs so I was thinking maybe I could try breeding them.

They are currently in a 15 gallons but I would move them for a few days in a plastic tub (about 2-3 gallons) because of the population of the 15 (shrimps, snails, etc.)

Must I cycle the breeding tub? I plan to add a pre filter sponge that has been in my 15 gallons for a while and some of the substrate + cuts of plants when I am cleaning the tank so I am hoping that could count towards the cycling as well as populating the tub with micro organisms to feed on. A heater and a air stone will complete the setup. 

I have never bred any fish so is that ok? Any tips or suggestions? Must you absolutely hatch live baby brine or daphnia or can I be ok with fry food like hikari first bite and the north fin one( do not have access to aquarium co op products)?

Thanks!

[Fish Folk]

Hi @Karen B. — very fun project! Just working on my Fundulopanchax Scheeli killifish breeding setup here. 

What you suggest could work. But every time we’ve tried using bins, totes, etc as tanks... things go wrong. Maybe just our issues! 

So, what we do is this: (1) make a spawning mop from acrylic yarn. Look that up online. L. R. Bretz has a good tutorial video. (2) drop that into the 15 gal (3) dim the lighting slightly, and if you can, add a Catappa leaf. (4) feed quality live or frozen foods. Wait about 1 week before checking the  mop. Females need protein to develop roe. (5) About 2-3 times a week, pull the mop out and check it for tiny little round eggs.(6) You’ll need to have a separate container ready. We add alder cones, small piece of Catappa leaf, and 1x neocaridina shrimp, Java moss, and a light air stone in a 1/2 gal specimen container. The shrimp will eat infertile eggs. (7) wait a few weeks... if any hatch, they’ll need to feed on vinegar eels for a week or two until they’re large enough for live baby brine shrimp. (8) once they’re large enough, they can be moved to a net breeder until they’re too big to be eaten by the adults. 
 

If didn’t make sense, sorry! — glad to help clarify. Here’s a heap of photos, videos, etc. 

 

 

[Karen B.]

16 minutes ago, Fish Folk said:

Hi @Karen B. — very fun project! Just working on my Fundulopanchax Scheeli killifish breeding setup here. 

What you suggest could work. But every time we’ve tried using bins, totes, etc as tanks... things go wrong. Maybe just our issues! 

So, what we do is this: (1) make a spawning mop from acrylic yarn. Look that up online. L. R. Bretz has a good tutorial video. (2) drop that into the 15 gal (3) dim the lighting slightly, and if you can, add a Catappa leaf. (4) feed quality live or frozen foods. Wait about 1 week before checking the  mop. Females need protein to develop roe. (5) About 2-3 times a week, pull the mop out and check it for tiny little round eggs.(6) You’ll need to have a separate container ready. We add alder cones, small piece of Catappa leaf, and 1x neocaridina shrimp, Java moss, and a light air stone in a 1/2 gal specimen container. The shrimp will eat infertile eggs. (7) wait a few weeks... if any hatch, they’ll need to feed on vinegar eels for a week or two until they’re large enough for live baby brine shrimp. (8) once they’re large enough, they can be moved to a net breeder until they’re too big to be eaten by the adults. 
 

If didn’t make sense, sorry! — glad to help clarify. Here’s a heap of photos, videos, etc. 

 

 

Thank you so very very much for all these information and suggestions. That was very helpfull. 
And your killies 🥰🥰🥰

[Taco Playz]

Thanks for the info. I love that baby killifish 🥰