Buying Killifish eggs

**pcfreak** · 4th Nov 2010, 14:54

Dear All,

got any good one to recommend? also i see most money will be spent on shipping if i get from ebay... so looking for deals that bros here recommend.

Regards
Anthony

**fisherw** · 4th Nov 2010, 17:36

Y618 is selling the kits. There is (or certainly was) a poster on the wall above the freezer chest where they store the frozen worms, etc., where the auntie collects payment. Magic fish or something along those lines. Don't know if it is what you are looking for.

**pcfreak** · 5th Nov 2010, 10:47

Yes i think so but i think buying from recommended farms feels more safe.

Originally Posted by fisherw

Y618 is selling the kits. There is (or certainly was) a poster on the wall above the freezer chest where they store the frozen worms, etc., where the auntie collects payment. Magic fish or something along those lines. Don't know if it is what you are looking for.

**stormhawk** · 9th Nov 2010, 03:39

Those Magic Fish kits sold in the LFS are not proven in terms of hatch rate. Killifish eggs will die if not stored properly or at the right moisture levels in the peat. Another thing is that the Magic Fish kits do not specify which species is stored in the peat packs that come with it. So you could either end up with a bunch of unknown fish, or none at all.

If you do wish to purchase killifish eggs I would suggest bidding on them on Aquabid. However, take notice that with the current problems with customs clearance and flight issues due to the recent strikes in Europe and the nearby volcanic eruption in Indonesia, your shipments from a foreign location may take awhile to arrive or not at all. Currently it will be winter soon in Europe and hence shipments from that region are not advisable during this period of time.

**pcfreak** · 9th Nov 2010, 11:53

Thanks for your explanation... I wonder if there is local SG breeders? or locals doing this. Aquabid shipping charge is not cheap right?

Originally Posted by stormhawk

Those Magic Fish kits sold in the LFS are not proven in terms of hatch rate. Killifish eggs will die if not stored properly or at the right moisture levels in the peat. Another thing is that the Magic Fish kits do not specify which species is stored in the peat packs that come with it. So you could either end up with a bunch of unknown fish, or none at all.

If you do wish to purchase killifish eggs I would suggest bidding on them on Aquabid. However, take notice that with the current problems with customs clearance and flight issues due to the recent strikes in Europe and the nearby volcanic eruption in Indonesia, your shipments from a foreign location may take awhile to arrive or not at all. Currently it will be winter soon in Europe and hence shipments from that region are not advisable during this period of time.

**exotic_idiot** · 9th Nov 2010, 18:50

You can try c328 as they always bring in a lot

**exotic_idiot** · 9th Nov 2010, 18:51

I mean those adults ones but never saw before eggs for sale.

**stormhawk** · 11th Nov 2010, 02:03

@pcfreak,

In the past, we had a small but active killifish community, but lack of funds, space, time and also dedication has forced former SG killifish breeders to stop altogether. Locally I guess you can try putting an ad post in the market place to ask if anyone is selling eggs or pairs. I believe there are still some local breeders out there.

As for Aquabid, you are essentially paying for the eggs + shipping fees from whichever location the seller is at. Cost is usually in USD or Euro, hence it can get very expensive and risky, since sometimes killifish eggs can perish in transit, especially if the temperature is too cold or too hot during shipping. This is why for some non-annual species, the eggs are usually shipped via express mail, which can get very expensive.

**Kiatster** · 11th Nov 2010, 03:19

I bought some from ebay sometime ago, hatched into many killie fry but none made it to adulthood. Alot of them had swim bladder which i noticed.

**stormhawk** · 12th Nov 2010, 02:36

That is an issue called belly-sliding, whereby the fry are not able to inflate their swim bladder sufficient in the initial first few minutes after hatching and rushing to the water's surface for air. For some killifish keepers, they rectify it with the use of oxygen tablets or powder in the hatching tray, at least with SAAs (South American Annuals).

**exotic_idiot** · 13th Nov 2010, 19:35

Can we put gentle air pump flow to solve the problem?
Mine also.. Hatch about 40plus but sadly only 8 make to adulthood and since they are annual all short life span less than a year all gone..

**stormhawk** · 15th Nov 2010, 04:16

Gentle air pump flow may help but from what I recall, the turbulence from the bubbles, although if kept slight, does not aid the fry at all. It is probably better to utilise the oxygen powder or tablets, whichever form is available. I mix the oxygen powder in a bottle of cold dechlorinated tap water for hatching purposes. Works pretty well in my case.

**exotic_idiot** · 15th Nov 2010, 11:27

Any planning coming back? If any bros wanted to mass order count me in.. Prefer Non annuals..

**stormhawk** · 16th Nov 2010, 01:03

Non-annuals do not survive well in transit from a foreign source to Singapore unless they are packed in water and breather bags. I had only one Aphyosemion hera fry hatching out from 2 bags of 50+ eggs in total.

**RonWill** · 5th Jan 2011, 20:24

The main problem to having killie eggs in hand is not availability. There are many online sources, some affordable, some not so. If I have to do it all over again with non-annuals, I'll look into Aquabid but be prepared to pay for EMS shipping. Cheap shipping don't always work but cheap will drive the dedicated out of any hobby. I recall my attempts at specie maintenance but the lack luster response and wavering commitment from cheap hobbyists made me quickly drop that idea.

The second problem is lack of preparation when raising tiny fry. Tiny fry require tiny foods. Not crushed flakes, tubifex or Liquidfry. Even daphnia may be too large for hatchlings to swallow. Nothing sadder to have healthy babies hatching but killing them with hunger and ignorance.

For those with the balls to give it a go at hatching annuals, watch for fully eyed-up eggs and when ready to dunk, use bottled water from the fridge and leave the hatching tray in the fridge until the first fry appear. Thereafter, remove the tray from fridge and leave it somewhere cool. Cold water have a higher level of oxygen and can minimize belly sliding.

Nobody have to believe me. It is your entitlement to be skeptical but somebody have to try it. [Been there, done that and bought the gawd d@mn store!]

BTW, not all eggs will hatch out at the same time. It's Mother Nature insurance against total wipe out, in case of a brief rainfall.

12 hours after the last fry is spotted, dry the peat (to fresh tobacco consistency - doesn't stick to hands) and bag it up. Dunk again in a week's time or when there are many eyed-up eggs, whichever is sooner.