Moss suitable for killies?

[stormydax]

Hi guys,
May i know if moss is suitable to be dumped inside a killies tank?Will it make them feel more secure?If yes, may i know what moss is more suitable?

thanks

yours sincerely,
Jeff

[stormhawk]

Hello Jeff,

We don't "dump" moss into their tanks in those tight ball forms but we do use them extensively in some tanks.

Usually we will go the cheap way and use Java Moss or whatever moss that is plentiful at the moment.

Yes, the moss will make the killies feel more secure but rather than that one should look into the other factors like tankmates and also nutrition before relying on the mosses to calm them down.

[stormydax]

hi jianyang,
The killies are kept in a small tank. May i know what do u suggest to make them feel more secure?I have added in frogbits and riccia...

thanks

yours sincerely,
Storm

[stormhawk]

Another reminder. Certain parasites like Hydra and others may hitch a ride into your tank by accident so please quarantine or treat any new plant additions to the tank before using them.

The extra work put in to QT the plants beforehand will come in useful. That's because you can tell yourself that you just saved yourself some headaches.

[RonWill]

Jeff,
Java moss is the most readily available moss species and it works well, be it for plant spawners or for raising young fry.

Some annual killies require salt added to minimize velvet outbreaks and java moss can be tolerant of harder water.

[stormhawk]

Hi Jeff,

If they are in a small tank, a small piece of java fern, a small amount of Java moss evenly spread out in the water column, frogbits and some other floating plants will be enough for them. However, do ensure that the tank has a cover as any gaps appearing amongst the floating plants may make some of the killifish species decide to jump and I'm sure you wouldn't want to find a crispy the next morning.

[stormydax]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice. The frogbits and riccia are from another tank, so its safe.I had experienced killies jumping out before so i place a magazine on it first. May i know what pump would you guys suggest? I am worried that if they do breed, the eggs will be suck in if used a hang on filter. Therefore, i am using undergravel system...

thanks

yours sincerely,
Jeff

[stormhawk]

Undergravel filters will work well in small tanks but with one problem, try to feed less tubifex in such tanks because once they bury into the substrate, problems may arise should they die down there.

Thats why I usually keep my tanks with some plant cover and no gravel (basically bare-bottom) to make maintenance easier.

Other types of suitable filtration would be those air-driven sponge filters or those small corner box filters like the Five-Plan Roka Boy.

[keehoe]

Errrr guys, allow me to add. Some species are known to dive under the gravel. I have had missing killies found in my undergravel filter alive.

That also tell me something. They needed privacy badly. So i gave them a tall breeding bowl and they are quite happy with it.