Chrom. fry quite inactive

**maxima** · 3rd May 2009, 16:03

Hey Everyone !

I'm Anil from Istanbul.
I've been keeping killies for a little while now and I still seem to have a looong way to go.
I had originally written this to Mr Lee (Ronnie) due to his great experience on the matter and he suggested that I post it here so other newbies can learn from it.
So here I go:

This is the first time I've hatched a Chrom. species ever. I thought it was time already, bought some eggs and now I have:

Chrom. A. Splendopleure "Mandilou" (Sp. ?) --- 10+ fry
Chrom. A. Splendopleure "Tico" --- 7+
Chrom. A. Volcanum --- 5+

There are baby snails and java moss in each 3 containers. I change %50 of their water daily, the water is about 3-4GH.
I feed them green water every morning. There's always some moina in their containers and occasionally I feed them vinegar eels (once a day and about 1-2 per fry).

My problem is they seem very still. Even though none has died in over 5 days, they look very uninterested and I don't see them swimming unless I nudge them gently - They quickly swim away then.
They seem to be just hovering at the surface, I don't even know if they're feeding.

Is this how it's supposed to be ? They're pretty tiny except Volcanum and since I haven't kept any Chrom. before, I'm kinda worried.
Shouldn't they be more active by now ?

**Bybloz** · 3rd May 2009, 18:12

Hi Anil, what temperature are you keeping the fry at? How deep is the water? Do the tanks get a bit of light for the moss to produce oxygen? How old are the fry now? Are there aeration?

I would watch the temperature and oxygen content.

Generally I wouldn't worry as long as my fry tank is "healthily dirty" (natural food supply e.g. infusoria) or I know there is food such as microworms in there.

Regards
Kai

**maxima** · 3rd May 2009, 18:58

Heya Kai

All my fry were born on April 27, they're about 5-6 days old.
The temp. is 18-19C (64-66F) and the depth is about 8-10cm.
All containers get indirect sunligh and some light from nearby tanks.
There's no aeration.

Anything wrong you can notice ?

**Bybloz** · 3rd May 2009, 22:34

Originally Posted by maxima

Heya Kai

All my fry were born on April 27, they're about 5-6 days old.
The temp. is 18-19C (64-66F) and the depth is about 8-10cm.
All containers get indirect sunligh and some light from nearby tanks.
There's no aeration.

Anything wrong you can notice ?

Temperature is kind of low for Chrom fry, which should ideally be in the range of 20-24C. And since you're using small containers, water temperature can fluctuate more than you imagine! Be careful..

**maxima** · 5th May 2009, 14:28

Heya Kai !

Thanks much for the comments. They seem to be getting more active now. I'll raise the temperature and see if there's a bigger change in the situation.

**maxima** · 13th May 2009, 19:33

Heya Everyone,

A quick update in the situation in case there's someone out there who needs info on this topic like I did:

Temp. is now 21 C and there's no aeration. The fry are being fed green water, moina and vinegar eels now and then.

All fry are alive, active and growing.
C. Splendopleure fry are still small but they have grown and C. Volcanum fry are especially much bigger now, they almost finally look like little fish.

**RonWill** · 20th May 2009, 19:27

Hi Anil,
Apologies for responding late but I can see that Kai has given good advice.

As to your original concern, most tiny fry will remain still to avoid detection and predation. Also, since your water is on the cool end, they tend to be less active, with lower metabolic rate.

Glad to hear that all the fry are doing well. Personally, I would have less frequent or large water changes since they do best in infusoria-rich aged water. In small grow-out tanks or containers, try to have scavengers like ramhorn snails to avoid water fouling due to overfeeding.

Start sorting them out if there's a large size difference to avoid sibling predation. You can increase frequency of water change once the young killies are about 2cm.

I may not log in as often but will check back here on your progress. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

**maxima** · 5th Jun 2009, 01:37

Hello Ron ! (and everyone),

Thanks for your reply.

A sorta quick update:

Chrom. Volcanum - all fry alive and pretty big now, gonna transfer them to a larger container soon. I can't see any color but the black stripe at the mouth is very clear at the moment.

Chrom. Splendopleure "Mangoule" - still not sure about this collection code but that's what it says on the bag. all fry are alive and bigger but not as big as Volcanum. They are growing slowly compared to Volcanum. No color.

Chrom. Splendopleure "Tiko" - all are dead ! I have no idea what happened, everything was the same as the other containers. they started to die one by one until not one was left alive. there was also a rivulus (agilae) fry in there and it died as well but strange enough, all my other rivulus fry in different containers are alive and quite big now.
i wonder if it was a hydra in that container or something ?

I washed it under boiling water with bleach afterwards but didn't dare put another fry into it still.

love from Turkey

**maxima** · 5th Jun 2009, 01:40

Oh and Kai, Ron,

You were right about the temp. It's warmer now and I see them chasing daphnia all the time.

**RonWill** · 10th Jun 2009, 18:41

Hi Anil,
Good to hear that! Keep us updated on how the fry are doing. Hopefully, one day, we will have sufficient local SG hobbyists who are serious enough to maintain killifish populations. Wishing you the best and have an enjoyable journey with these little jewels.

Kai,
I'm curious what killies or which Chromaphyosemion populations you're keeping. My backup (a buddy to whom I gave all my breeders) is interested to trade. Let me know if you're game.