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[SteveL91]

Hi all,

First, I'm still fairly new to killies. I made an attempt at keeping them (Nothos) a few years back and I was fairly successful. But, I just didn't have the time or resources to commit to the hobby at that time. I'm now starting to get back into it, and I'm still primarily interested in Nothos, but I suspect I'll eventually end up with a little of this and a little of that. But, the annuals seem to hold my interest the most.

Now that that's out of the way...

I'm nowhere near an experienced killie keeper, but I don't want to run the risk of unintentionally hybridizing (mainly different locations) or selling/trading eggs as one species/location when it's really something else. I've been looking through Aquabid, and I've just been salivating.

Before buying, I look through the feedback and try and get a gauge on things. If I don't see any feedback from established users (in terms of feedback received), I tend to pass. I'm not sure if this is a good filter, but for now, it's all I have. But, I'm still concerned about receiving eggs of the population I've ordered. For example, I'm trying to acquire various N. rachovii, including Beira 98, but some of the pictures I've seen that claim to be this locale - while downright stunning - don't really seem to resemble the other pictures I've seen (as well as personally kept) of this population.

I guess what this ramble is all about is this: are there any safety measures I can implement to ensure that I'm not receiving - and more importantly, distributing - mismarked fish?

Thanks in advance, and I apologize for the length. I'm notoriously long-winded.

Steve

[keehoe]

Welcome Steve. In small country like Singaopore where any strain of any species can be easily traced. I don't think you will need to worry about getting hybrid.

Generally,if you are buying from individual that are of a member of any killie association would minimize your chance of getting hybrid species.

Organization such as: AKA, BKA, CKA etc etc. (sorry if i miss out any. As i am new in killie keeping also)

Of course there are other individual that are reputable in providing accurately labeled fish egg. But you will need time to get to know them. By reading messages in forums. You will be able to identify them. Good luck.

Like yourself, i was thinking of keeping only Notho. in the start. But after seeing some real interesting Simp. (Magnificus, Fulminantis, Igneus) and A. STR, EXO etc etc. I realise what i have been missing.

[Blessedsilence]

I would like to note that the AKA website does have a fish and egg listing. That way you would be sure that they are members of the AKA. You can also join for a small fee, its worth checking out if your worried about it.

[SteveL91]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm definitely going to join the AKA at some point, but Aquabid is just so convenient. I'll just try and ensure I'm dealing with reputable breeders. I've seen a few listings from people on this board - it's how I came here.

Also, I'm really getting interested in the South American Annuals. They're likely a better fit for my water, but I can't help it: I just love Nothos too much to abandon them. I had success keeping a few species, so I think it'll be okay.

Thanks again,
Steve

[timebomb]

I'm notoriously long-winded.

Welcome to the forum, Steve. If you're really the long-winded sort, you will find sanctuary here. This is where you belong

In my humble opinion, there is no guarantee that the Killifish you buy will not be mismarked, even if you restrict yourself to buying only from well-known breeders. I won't mention names but I have experiences where the eggs I got from established breeders hatched out to be different from the ones they're supposed to be. How do I know for sure? Well, let's just say you will know something isn't right when from among a group of fry which were hatched out from a single batch of eggs, you find one or a couple or fry which look completely different from the others.

A collection code is only as good as the guy who sold you the eggs. I don't believe the established breeders are out to deceive but the fact is, people make mistakes. And the more species you keep, the more likely you are to accidentally mix them up.

Many things can go wrong and they often do. A fish can jump from one tank into another; an egg stuck to a plant, spawning mop or coffee filter can be accidentally transferred into another tank; eggs can be wrongly labelled; recycled peat can contain eggs from another species etc. We can do our best but unless your tanks are setup like those in laboratory conditions, there's no guarantee.

It takes tremenduous discipline, a very good system of housing them and a lot of hard work to prevent accidentally mixing up Killies. But actually, there's a simple method. If say, you keep only one species from any genus, chances of the fish accidentally hybridising in your tanks are practically nil. It's easier said than done, of course. The problem with us and many established breeders is that we love the fish so much we want to keep as many species as we can. And that's when things get complicated

Loh K L

[SteveL91]

I'm notoriously long-winded.

Welcome to the forum, Steve. If you're really the long-winded sort, you will find sanctuary here. This is where you belong

Good to know. And, thanks for the welcome.

I understand what you're saying, and I guess it's something I'll have to accept. What spurred this thought on was looking through aquabid, and the pictures of the fish not quite matching the other pictures I've found. I'd like to chalk it up to variation, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to do so. I don't know. I haven't decided what I'm going to do just yet, but it's nice to have such resources available.

Thanks again,
Steve