An alternative method hatching eggs

**Svein** · 27th Apr 2005, 22:44

Hi all, just show you a for me s new method hatching eggs. i got the tip from a Killi friend of me and I do like this.
- Using a plastic tank containing about 6dl
- I put 2 small snails in it, and no more.

I have use a lot of the common medical in the water, but I have never been pleased, I always getting some moulding eggs.

My friend told me that the reason having small snails in is that the snail feces produce "positive bacteria", so I tried this system
I put 30 eggs from Rivulus rubripunctatus for about 3 weeks ago, and I haven't seen one moulded egg, and today I found 20 fries, and as you can see at the picture, there are still more eggs that shall hatch.
I haven't done anything in the tank, just refilled water.

My conclusion after 1 try, this is good, but i will try it for some other species.
Have someone here tried this?

Regards
Svein

**stormhawk** · 27th Apr 2005, 22:48

Hi Svein, I've not tried this method but its a good new way of doing things.

What I like to ask is, what type or species of snail did you use in the tray?

Some snail species are voracious feeders and will not hesitate to eat fish eggs.

**Svein** · 27th Apr 2005, 22:58

Hi
I use the very common snail, I belive it's from the family Physidae, small snails, There is a snail at the picture, but it's not good. I "breed" these snails in a separate tank because i use a lot of them creating infusoria.
I don't use applesnails

and as I said, i haven't lost one egg, and the eggs have been in the tanke for 3 weeks now.
If you want I can take a picture of the snail
Regards
Svein

**stormhawk** · 27th Apr 2005, 23:00

Hi Svein, a picture of the snail would be much appreciated.

**shortman** · 27th Apr 2005, 23:05

From the image, I guess it is the same one we "steal" from Ronnie.

I am also testing up the new packing method to prevent fungus grow on eggs will update here when I get positive test result on different species.

regds

**stormhawk** · 27th Apr 2005, 23:22

Physidae.. sounds familiar. I did a Google search and found the physid snails to be similar to our regular pond snails.

Svein, does it look something like this? (See image below).

**Svein** · 27th Apr 2005, 23:28

yes , that'sit

This is the aquarist fright when we become new plants, but not for me

It should be funny if anyone else also will try this
I'm gambling high now because I use the same system to Aphyosemion joergenscheeli, and so far I haven't found any fungus egg.
Regards
Svein

**stormhawk** · 28th Apr 2005, 00:21

Looks good, I'm going to check the cylindraceus mop later. If there's lots of eggs I'll drop in some of these physid snails with a small number of the eggs to try out. The rest I'll incubate as usual, that is, IF I find any.

**whuntley** · 28th Apr 2005, 00:34

There is one small trick to this process. New laid eggs are often very soft and fragile, as anyone who picks mops can testify. Snails will eat them.

After a while (hour?), the chorion toughens, and most snails, like ramshorn and pond snails will no longer bother them. I have seen ramshorns eat really fresh eggs, and feel sure pond snails would, too, if given a chance.

The snails get rid of any decaying detritus and convert it to infusoria food and inert pellets that are easy to suck out. The infusoria then filter feed on any free-swimming bacteria, so the eggs get a lot of protection, in my experience.

Another good trick is to use aquatic amphipods as egg gleaners. Works well.

Wright

**Piscesgirl** · 28th Apr 2005, 00:35

I have those snails, and they don't eat my plants either (or if they do, it's such a small amount I don't notice). I think snails probably have a vital part in the ecosystem of a tank, but moreso than we give them credit for. I now regret that I have a tank of loaches I can not keep any snails in

**stormhawk** · 28th Apr 2005, 00:45

Wright, say if the eggs were laid some time ago (more than 1 hour ago) on the mop, would their chorion be hardened already?

**RonWill** · 28th Apr 2005, 00:54

Deborah,
I've been shoving the "concept of beneficial snails" to many folks and personally, do not have a container or tank without snails. However, instead of a variety of different snails, I maintain mono-cultures of ramhorns... which appear less everytime folks come around my place

Wright, is there a specific species of amphipod that works well for our purpose?

Svein, I've been using the "snail-and-egg combo" for about 3 years now but only with young ramhorns. I don't trust the pond snail variety, plus they reproduce way too fast!!

**Svein** · 28th Apr 2005, 01:44

I have no experience with this system , but it wotks extremely well to my rivulus rubripunctatus eggs, so I will of course continue with this system to this species, but I will come back when I have tested it well.
And i use of course small pond snails, and it's no problem holding control of them when I have them in a separate snail tank

Regards
Svein

**erikthur** · 28th Apr 2005, 03:40

May-be the snails preform the same assistance as some shrimps described in this site:
http://www.killies.com/Incubating2.htm
However, since I have no shrimps I will gladly test those snails - yes I got them too...

**erikthur** · 28th Apr 2005, 04:02

Svein, just for clarity
1. Do you just add water - no water changes?
2. You do not remove snail feces?
3. How large were these snails? (My snails grow up to 1.5 cm)

**Svein** · 28th Apr 2005, 04:21

Hei Erik, går det bra i Sverige

To your question:

Yes i just add water, and the water was crystal clear all the tree weeks
No all the feces remain in the tank, and I think that is the meaning with this method as Wright wrote.
The snails are about 3mm, so I'm looking for the smalest I can find.

Anyway, I will also try shrimps if i can find any, I'm tired using "scheels solution" so if i can find somthing natural preventing fungus, I will be most happy.

Ha en god kveld

Regards
Svein

**erikthur** · 28th Apr 2005, 04:43

Ditto
Yes, I am pleased with my hatchings so far.
May-be buying to much eggs though.
I am going to try your method - first with Fp nigerianus "Makurdi" that I have some problems with.
I will also feel pleased not using Scheel's method.
regards