Killifish eggs reputable sellers?

**an1l** · 21st Jun 2011, 17:48

I'll have to disagree with the Aphanius needing brackish water comment. That is actually a myth many foreigners seem to believe. Aphanius is a local fish here in Turkey, we have many species. I myself go collecting every summer, mento and villwocki being my faves.
They are highly tolerant of salt as some populations live very close to sea but they are not brackish water fish except a few species (like A. Burduricus which is confined to a single brackish lake, making it an endemic but even it can adapt to freshwater). They all live in freshwater.

What`s true is they need hard water as the water flowing from the mountains contains many minerals and they won't last many generations in soft water. The population will slowly decline. They also need to experience a fair drop in temperature in winter as this is what happens in their local habitat. They will move to deeper parts of the river/lake by fall/winter and come back to the shores when it gets warm.

It's also true they are agressive. Usually a male or two dominates the tank (depending on the size of the tank) and they will be the only really colorful males; the rest will swim with the females and go pale.

**stormhawk** · 21st Jun 2011, 19:01

That is what I meant with the brackish water comment Anil (not the salt water bit however), but thank you for the comment regarding the high mineral content in their native waters. Their aggression is legendary, but alas, very little interest in Aphanius in this part of the world. I would keep them, but since I lack space, it is best I wait till the chance presents itself. The need to over-winter the adults is something that prevents us in tropical Asia to keep them with success. I guess they do best in the Mediterranean climate, but here in hot and humid Singapore, it is highly likely they will not do very well.

Our local tapwater recently has been showing some strange fluctuations. Right out of my tap, the water measures at pH 7.0 with a relatively low TDS reading, as corroborated by Ronnie. The odd thing is, over the space of 2-3 days (aging the water), the pH will just drop to below 6 without any action on my part. It would be disaster if I had Aphanius with me.

However, of all the species, I truly like A. mento, and A. sirhani.

**Don90** · 23rd Jun 2011, 22:23

Originally Posted by RonWill

There wasn't a "safe" list when I started and often risked receiving nothing after payment. Then there's another group of sellers who don't ship beyond continental USA or out of EU countries but... you might want to lurk over at AKA's forum and put in a request. Perhaps Lady Luck is on your side.

If you're game to spare the bucks, wait around for Stormhawk to show up. He might know.

BTW, how do we address you? I'm Ronnie... as if it wasn't obvious enough!

lol I don't have a signature, but you can address me as don.

I'll try AKA and see if I can find the killies that I want, but I highly doubt it, cos I only see 1 post in the classified section or am I doing something wrong?

thanks for the advice anyway.

Originally Posted by stormhawk

If you wish to acquire N. sp. "Caprivi", look for sellers like Bela89, or one of the Notho specialists. The prices can be high since they usually charge in Euro, but you can probably expect good packaging, especially from these Notho keepers. Many American sellers do not ship outside the USA for various reasons (especially one Notho keeper), and when it comes to Asia, they'd only ship to Japan and nowhere else. Funny, considering how they want foreign species to appear in the USA from breeders OUTSIDE the continental USA. This is why I tend to source my killies from European breeders. That said, not all US sellers are bad, some are really good and go to great lengths to ensure your eggs arrive safely and in good order.

IF you are purchasing from a US seller, always ask for Global Priority Shipping or EMS/Express Shipping. They have a Flat-Rate envelope from the USPS which should not cost too much for a few bags of eggs. From Europe, ask for the same thing, if they have a faster mailing method. This of course depends on the species you are ordering. With annuals, they can survive the long transit times if the packages are well insulated. Just remember to have someone at home to receive the eggs if the postman/deliveryman arrives. The worst thing you can experience is the eggs "frying" in your post box because you opened it late.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll wait for N. sp.caprivi to show up on aquabid. I've not seen bela89 posting anything on aquabid of late, but I'll keep a lookout.

In the meantime I'll try to learn how paypal works haha.

**stormhawk** · 24th Jun 2011, 13:06

Registering a Paypal account requires your real information (whatever stated on your IC + some additional info) and a valid Credit Card/Debit Master or Visa Card number. They will require you to send authentication images (a photocopy) of your actual IC etc to certify that it is your account. The Paypal account will be linked to your bank account as well.

Do not bother with the AKA website. They seldom look at the Classifieds section, preferring to sell their eggs/fish at local auctions or only within the USA. Even if you do find a seller, he/she will seldom want to ship overseas. The majority of AKA members are old school who prefer email correspondence and the BNL/FEL in their monthly members-only publication. This is why for anyone outside of the USA and without a friend in the AKA, has to rely on Aquabid. No offence to them, but isolationist policies like theirs only means we as Asians have to look to Japan/Europe/South America for fish and eggs.

**Don90** · 3rd Jul 2011, 18:49

Originally Posted by stormhawk

Registering a Paypal account requires your real information (whatever stated on your IC + some additional info) and a valid Credit Card/Debit Master or Visa Card number. They will require you to send authentication images (a photocopy) of your actual IC etc to certify that it is your account. The Paypal account will be linked to your bank account as well.

Do not bother with the AKA website. They seldom look at the Classifieds section, preferring to sell their eggs/fish at local auctions or only within the USA. Even if you do find a seller, he/she will seldom want to ship overseas. The majority of AKA members are old school who prefer email correspondence and the BNL/FEL in their monthly members-only publication. This is why for anyone outside of the USA and without a friend in the AKA, has to rely on Aquabid. No offence to them, but isolationist policies like theirs only means we as Asians have to look to Japan/Europe/South America for fish and eggs.

Hi,

I got my paypal account already, and i transfered some money inside from my bank account. For some reason it isn't reflected in my paypal. Does it usually take a few working days for the money to go into my paypal?

gonna order some eggs through aquabid.

**stormhawk** · 3rd Jul 2011, 19:51

Yes that is correct. Some times it takes awhile before your bank allows the transfer to happen. You don't really need to top up your Paypal account, if it's connected to a credit/debit card with Mastercard/Visa function. Usual transaction times for clearance via Paypal is 3-5 working days.

**Don90** · 7th Jul 2011, 16:18

Hi guys I have a question... I just won my first aquabid auction for eggs.

For shipping address, is it the same as my home address? Do we use a PO box for singapore??

**stormhawk** · 7th Jul 2011, 18:46

Shipping address is basically your home address, unless you want the item to be sent to a separate location like your office or relative's house etc.

**Don90** · 12th Jul 2011, 16:48

Anyone dealt with 2008egg on aquabid before? His feedback record is good, but unfortunately he has not replied to my email after i sent him the money..

**stormhawk** · 12th Jul 2011, 21:28

I haven't, but since he's located in China, I try not to. A person who does not respond to emails only serves to make his/her customers worried, like you are. Plus he has at least mislabeled one or more of his available species. From what I see, he acquired his stock of eggs and therefore fish, from the same breeders in Europe.

**Don90** · 13th Jul 2011, 02:08

Holy cow. First time using aquabid and paypal and now this happens. Its really discouraging for new hobbyists wanting to buy eggs.

I know hes in China and it might take quite a while for the eggs to reach. BTW which species did he mislabel?

**stormhawk** · 13th Jul 2011, 03:31

He previously used the image of his Simp. flammeus (which doesn't look like flammeus) for his Simp. igneus listing a long time ago. I don't think the mail will take that long from China, probably within a week given how many flights go to and fro from Singapore to China. Send him another email and see what he says. For all you might know, he's probably busy with other things.

Besides, there is a time frame for Paypal payments, within which time if you did not receive what you paid for, you can dispute the payment. I think it was 30 days or so. I forgot this time frame and got fleeced by a US seller on eBay (for something else). She refused to give me the postal receipt details and did not even attempt to refund me the cash, claiming that I received the box I paid for. Needless to say, after that I said good riddance to eBay.

**daguldfisher** · 13th Jul 2011, 05:16

If you paid through paypal's invoice system you have I think 45 days to file a dispute. If you paid as a gift, then I think you have to start asking paypal on how to report a dispute as soon as possible. I think paying as a gift does not have means of reporting a dispute. We must always pay through invoice system, the cost should be the same anyway for the buyer be it through paypal invoice or through sending paypal gift. Always ask for an invoice unless you pay the seller that much.

**Don90** · 13th Jul 2011, 10:04

Hmm not very sure now.

I just sent him an email late last night with a read receipt. So if he reads it then I'll know if hes ignoring my emails.

Its been 7 days since I won the auction and 4 days after I paid him so I'll see how it goes.

For the paypal part, i paid under "goods". So I'm not sure if I can file some kind of dispute if anything bad happens *touch wood*

**daguldfisher** · 13th Jul 2011, 10:10

Next time ask for invoice before paying so you wont have to worry.

**Don90** · 19th Jul 2011, 23:43

Finally, he replied.. lol and the eggs have been sent.

seems like he was sent somewhere to work.

now to wait for those eggs.

**Sbutcher** · 30th Sep 2011, 02:50

All my eggs are guaranteed .If you buy from aquabid and the seller states he takes no responsibility for time hatch rate weather etc etc etc. Then you get what you pay for..nothing. Reputable sellers will not abandon the sale if there is a problem. Also stop trying to only buy the hardest killies there are. Most people havent raised a gardneri or a guentheri and they expect success with furzeri and other rare..hard annuals.