How many killi-keepers in Singapore?

[imported_Shi Xuan]

Hey all,

I've been visiting this forum for the last few days, browsing through old posts that dates all the way back to 2003. It's really vibrant then but it's really getting too quiet recently. Some species like the Simsonicthys and Fundulopanchax have probably gone extinct in Singapore, probably because some hobbyists no longer keeps and breed them/killies. How I wish I get to meet some singapore killi hobbyists who are still staying in this hobby other than Mr Loh?

greetings,
Shi Xuan

[timebomb]

I'm sure there's more than one Killifish breeder in Singapore, Shi Xuan. You don't see them here but they are somewhere out there. You don't have to pine over the loss of some species from the local aquaria scene. When we started, there were just Ronnie and me but together, we managed to obtain many species in the form of eggs from breeders who live in other countries. Where there's a will, there's a way.

One advice I would give you though - hobbyists who stumbled on to the world of Killies tend to get over-enthusiastic about it and end up keeping too many species. Eventually, they get bogged down by the huge amount of work involved and lose interest. Collecting, incubating and hatching eggs can be a lot of fun in the beginning but when you have too many species, it can be too much of a hassle.

Start slowly and keep only those species that you really like. Don't feel obligated to maintain and breed every species that comes your way. Set up your tanks in such a way it takes a minimum amount of work to keep them in good condition. Remember, it's just a hobby after all. It's no fun when it becomes work.

Loh K L

[imported_Shi Xuan]

Hi Mr loh,

Frankly speaking, I'm not too overwhelmed at the moment, so I will only get 1 species from you first. Remember, I also breed fancy guppies too, so I don't have much tanks left for killies, probably sufficient for 2 species the most. I like killies since a long time ago, but don't have much time to work with them until recently that I decided to get some.

They are still considered some of my other fish breeding projects at least for now but I'm not sure if I will like them so much that I decided to give up on my guppies which I will still breed and keep. I hope that I can make more friends in the killies hobby, that's actually my point.

greetings,
Shi Xuan

[whuntley]

KL's wisdom is hard to beat.

I once found myself feeding 150 tanks and other containers. The work load was really oppressive. Burn-out follows right after that.

I, too, once bred guppies. They were a marvelous way to get familiar with genetics.

Except for the gene complexity, you may find killifish are often more technically challenging than the guppies. Because they are essentially wild fish, and we try hard to keep them that way, they tend to be less acclimated to aquaria in many ways. Water conditions and temperature, for example, can be much more critical for some killy species. Food, and the requirements for live foods for breeding tend to be more demanding, too.

For many of us, these challenges are what make the hobby less boring. I hope you grow to agree with us and have success with your guppies and killies (guppies that happen to lay eggs).

Wright

[imported_Shi Xuan]

Hi Wright,

Maintaining 150 tanks and containers is a lot of work to be serious. I would be glad to maintain 20-25 tanks the most. Guppies and killies varies vastly although they belong to the order of Cyprinodontiformes.

I like guppies because of their metallic colors and ease of breeding and also because I like genetics. However, I do admit that I like killies as much as I like guppies partly because they are challenging but most importantly, they are just as colorful.

greetings,
Shi Xuan

[RonWill]

Some killies may be lost locally but these won't be extinct in the minds of those who had them before. I don't know of anyone else who has Simp and Fp now but some populations of Chromaphyosemion splendopleure and bitaeniatum are still around, albeit not very prolific.

If memory serves me correct, my backup keeper did mention that the BIT 'Majitam' is doing ok. Honestly, who can resist a fish like this?


For what it's worth, I won't look back in regret but glad that at some point of the hobby, I was able to contribute something in return. It was ALOT of work but the satisfaction was priceless.

Presently, I'm pretty happy just being a parrot-keeper and expecting my second clutch of cockatiel nestlings.. Come to think of it, the only killie that will draw this moth to the proverbial flame is nothing less than Pseudepiplatys annulatus Monrovia and I'm not done with killies until I do the Reds!!! Am I right, Wright?

Shi Xuan, so long as you're still interested in killies, you won't be alone here.

[slacker04]

Hi all,

I too have just entered the killie scene and have placed my order for 2 species of eggs. Like many in this forum, I'm also a Singaporean. Hope to learn more from the experts around here as I embark on this journey of keeping killifish.

Cheers and God Bless

[RonWill]

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum. What eggs did you order and from where? Annuals or non-annuals?

I don't have killies like I used to, only 2 young pairs of Chrom. splendopleure Tiko in a 2ft tank to take care of mozzies, but it's always refreshing to see newcomers to the hobby and do keep us updated.

[whuntley]

Ron,

Re: ANN (the old) Monrovia (Reds).

You are preaching to the choir, here.

They are much trickier than other ANN strains. They have beaten me twice.

I travel a lot and go to Convention (AKA) and regional shows, but have not seen good breeding stock for over a year. If some show up, do not think of trying to outbid me.

Wright

PS. OK, I probably will give up around US$5000, because I want a new Sony Alpha 900 and lenses. Can't afford both, otherwise I would go higher. To quote Ron Harlan, these are my "Holy Grail" fish.

PPS. Really chaps my hide that Robert Nhan and Wayland Lee used to keep them going so well in hot San Jose and frigid San Francisco!

[imported_Shi Xuan]

Hi Ronnie,

I don't know of anyone else who has Simp and Fp now but some populations of Chromaphyosemion splendopleure and bitaeniatum are still around, albeit not very prolific.

Yes, the Aphoysemion (Chromaphyosemion) bitaeniatum is still around but not much.

Shi Xuan

[slacker04]

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum. What eggs did you order and from where? Annuals or non-annuals?

I don't have killies like I used to, only 2 young pairs of Chrom. splendopleure Tiko in a 2ft tank to take care of mozzies, but it's always refreshing to see newcomers to the hobby and do keep us updated.

Hi Ron,

I've purchased Nothobranchius guentheri and Fundulopanchax nigerianus Akampka eggs from fellow forumer Tyrone. Any advise on these 2 species?

Cheers and God Bless

[keehoe]

Some killies may be lost locally but these won't be extinct in the minds of those who had them before. I don't know of anyone else who has Simp and Fp now but some populations of Chromaphyosemion splendopleure and bitaeniatum are still around, albeit not very prolific.

If memory serves me correct, my backup keeper did mention that the BIT 'Majitam' is doing ok. Honestly, who can resist a fish like this?


For what it's worth, I won't look back in regret but glad that at some point of the hobby, I was able to contribute something in return. It was ALOT of work but the satisfaction was priceless.

Presently, I'm pretty happy just being a parrot-keeper and expecting my second clutch of cockatiel nestlings.. Come to think of it, the only killie that will draw this moth to the proverbial flame is nothing less than Pseudepiplatys annulatus Monrovia and I'm not done with killies until I do the Reds!!! Am I right, Wright?

Shi Xuan, so long as you're still interested in killies, you won't be alone here.

Same here, i am still holding on to my filter and a plastic tank waiting for the red strain.

[CM Media]

I still keeping a whole lot of orange Australe and ANN. Cheers

[RonWill]

I've purchased Nothobranchius guentheri and Fundulopanchax nigerianus Akampka eggs from fellow forumer Tyrone. Any advise on these 2 species?

Tim,
Most Notho eggs will eye-up in about 6 weeks with our local weather. The warmer it is, the quicker is embryo development. Notho guentheri and rachovii handles pretty much the same.

Semi-annuals like Fundulopanchax ships and incubate well in peat but personally, I drip-dry the spawning mop, bag it and leave it in a closet (or any cool, dark place) for about 3 weeks. Once I wet the mop, I'll leave it for a week with alternate-day 100% water change, which triggers hatching. By the end of the 2nd week, most eggs (except for the stubborn ones) would have hatched. Standard fry-care applies.

You can also wait for Tyrone's response after catching up with the forum merge.

[RonWill]

Guys, I'm glad to see you both here. For a moment, I thought that the old group have moved out of the hobby. Like Kee Hoe, I still have a few low-maintenance planted tanks, each housing a small group of Chrom. bitaeniatum ('Majitam' & 'Ijebu Ode' population) and splendopleure 'Tiko' (separate tanks, of course).

I'm hoping the present cool monsoon season will yield enough fry to sustain the next generation but that's not a priority now. Instead, I'm learning to appreciate why I got into killies in the first place; for their resilience and beauty. However, I'm not back into killifishes the way I used to, with 30+ species... really too much work.

Au, the AUS Orange is a nice Aphyosemion. Have you been breeding them again? Let's see if we can meet up, so I can buy a pair or two off you. Your 'naggy girlfriend' want a pair too!

For those who are slowly finding their way into Killie Arena's new home, welcome back. A big welcome also, for would-be killie enthusiast. Once the archive is up, do dig around because it a treasure trove of information there.

[CM Media]

Hi Ronnie,

They're still young and should be ready to breed in a month's time. Let's meet up to have coffee one day. It's being a long while since we get together. BTW, I'm also breeding the endlers in my tanks. I'll pass some to you when the AUS is ready to breed. Stay tune pal.

[selena]

me naggy???

Au, let me know how much i need to e-transfer over?

[CM Media]

Priceless. If you really keen top pay, go to Aquabid and bid.

[keehoe]

me naggy???

Au, let me know how much i need to e-transfer over?

Wah wah, i just saw your advertisement of podcast dot com on TV.

[reynoldmaben]

Hi all,

I too have just entered the killie scene and have placed my order for 2 species of eggs. Like many in this forum, I'm also a Singaporean. Hope to learn more from the experts around here as I embark on this journey of keeping killifish.

Cheers and God Bless

hello friend,


im intreasted in rearing some killies, and they are very difficult to find in india. do you know anyone who can help me by sending some eggs of any killi strain...

look forward for your reply.

regards
reynold