where have all the magnificus gone?

[TyroneGenade]

Hi all,

I was browsing my BNL and noticed something... A few years back everyone had Simp. magnificus. Not any more. It seems to have largely disappeared from shows too. Don't when last it has been sited on Aquabid.

Does anyone still keep it? I must confess, my interest in it is because it seems so scarce.

I know it was very common in Singapore not so long ago. You guys still keep it?

Regards

[erikthur]

I remember what happened to the eggs I bought at least.
No development, no development, no development, all suddenly gone.
Not much of a help I guess.

[TyroneGenade]

Hmm... Yes, they weren't an easy fish to work with.

So, anyone in Singapore still keeping and breeding this beauty? Anyone know of anyone who is keeping and breeding it?

[stormhawk]

Not much help from me either Tyrone. I no longer maintain Simpsonichthys magnificus at this point of time. I don't think anyone is currently maintaining the magnificus locally at the moment, but since I have been out of touch with the hobby for quite a long time, I might not know what is currently going on with the others.

Off-topic, do you happen to have a copy of Valdesalici's latest description for a Nothobranchius?

[RonWill]

Hi all,
After my backup managed to sell off some pairs of Simp. magnificus, his breeding stock met sudden death from a water change [see note]. The collected eggs also suffered severe skewed sex ratio, all males.

Unless those who previously bought the pairs are actively breeding, or at least attempt to breed them, then I'm sad to say the the magnificent magnificus is 'extinct' from our shores.

These are beautiful killies and one of my first annual species. IMHO, they surpasses the beauty of Notho. rachovii and it's a pity that they were over-shadowed by the 'new-kid-on-the-block'.

I no longer maintain killies, so good luck to whomever is looking for any.

Note: The water-works increased dosage of chloramine was more than what my activated-carbon rig could handle. A 10% top-up is now considered lethal. Just be aware!

[nonamethefish]

The obvious question to ask here is how many are keeping Simpsonichthys carlettoi? This species was hyped as even more impressive than magnificus.

[whuntley]

Note: The water-works increased dosage of chloramine was more than what my activated-carbon rig could handle. A 10% top-up is now considered lethal. Just be aware!

A good carbon filter will handle almost any concentration. The biggest caveat is to barely trickle the water through the filter. Contact time is all-important. Any punch-through can be sterilizing for adults or stunting for babies, even if it does not kill.

I learned this the hard way, when a hex tank (35G?) broke a seam, and I was too hasty to get the replacement tank up and running. Lost a beautiful strain of Dwarf Neon Rainbows! Get out your test kit, and reduce the flow until the output tests "0" (not the slightest detectable color) for chlorine. Then, never let it run any faster than that.

Wright

[stormhawk]

The obvious question to ask here is how many are keeping Simpsonichthys carlettoi? This species was hyped as even more impressive than magnificus.

Hello Joseph,

Simp. carlettoi is doing well in Europe, with the efforts of Didier Pillet and others. It is also present amongst the Japanese and killie keepers in Brazil itself. I have no idea for the AKA, but it is certainly alive and well in those places where it's popularity has exceeded that of the magnificus. You'll even find sellers for the eggs from Thailand and China on Aquabid, every now and then.

As for Tyrone,

I remembered that Didier did have the Itacarambi B7 magnificus for some time, but his current fishlist indicates that he no longer keeps it in his fish room. Still, magnificus is present in other parts of the worlds, in particular Europe and I reckon the members of the AKA still have it. There's not much talk about magnificus on the Brazilian killie forum, but I'll take a look later.

Thank you for the tip Ronnie. That might explain why some of my fish recently conked in my main tank. After Hari Raya passes, I will set up a few tanks to restart my killie collection. The carbon filter rig is a good thing, but with my current situation, I doubt my dad will let me put one in the house.

[TyroneGenade]

Hi all,

Well Didier still has magnificus but not the strain you mention. He is selling them right now on Aquabid. I've already made a behind the scenes deal for some eggs. :-)

Personally, while carlettoi is very impressive (I have eggs incubating) I think the magnificus is much prettier.

I think that carlettoi's only advantage over magnificus and picturatus is that they are being so wildly sold. If as many people were selling magnificus and picturatus they would be just as common as carlettoi. Of course the magnificus are not easy... but then again, so far nor are the carlettoi.

Regarding Chloramine, You may want to get some big tub to hold water that you can continually cycle through a carbon filter OR you can add some hornwort and add the standard dechlorinator that will split the chlorine from the ammonia. The plants will take up the ammonia and the chlorine will dissipate.

Here in S.Africa we are very lucky: no chloramine yet! (except for special occasions...)

Regards