Hatching & rearing Killis

[Cheetah]

I did order some eggs a while ago, and here’s an account of how I hatched them

Removing the bubble wrappers, tinfoil, newspapers and sealed packets brings you to a plastic container with the peat and eggs in them. (Approximately 100 eggs per container)
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis005.jpg

I chose these plastic containers (I think my wife bought some Easter buns in them or something to that effect)... as receptacle and filled them with water from the tank I intend to (eventually) move the fry into. (They’re about 3" deep)
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis007.jpg

I removed the lids from the egg & peat containers and submerged them into the water.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis015.jpg

After a minute, I rinsed the peat & Egg containers in the water and then stirred the water to spread the peat.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis018.jpg

Brine shrimp eggs were set up for hatching about 12 hours prior to submerging the eggs.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis014.jpg


A bare, cycled tank was ready for the fry, which hatched about five minutes after placing the peat in water and moved to the tank about 24 hours after hatching.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/BreedingKillis050.jpg

The fry hatched within 5 minutes of placing the peat and water, and they were moved to tanks within 24 hours after hatching

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank002.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank010.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank016.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank012.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank020.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/KilliTank018.jpg

[Cheetah]

And here they are approximately 2 months after hatching.

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/Posted%20in%20TFF/LatestonKillis027.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/Posted%20in%20TFF/LatestonKillis036.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/Posted%20in%20TFF/LatestonKillis024.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/LudwigVenter/Posted%20in%20TFF/LatestonKillis029.jpg


I had abot 50% hatching rate of 3 species mixed being Eggersi red, Eggersi blue and Rachovii.

[Gaawie]

Hey Cheeta, really interesting thread. Are they hard to keep, how did you get the eggs, and are you planning top breed them?

Regards, Gabriel

[Cheetah]

I ordered the eggs from Thailand and they took about 40 days to arrive... (there was some delay in posting - should not take more than 20 days)

I've currently got another batch on order, (which was posted to me on the 28th)

In the latest batch that I ordered, I made the same mistake as with the first (& promised myself I won't do it again), I ordered mixed batches, which is fine if you do not intend to breed them, but if you want to breed, I will recommend that you by specific species, as it is easy enough to seperate the males of the different species, but the females all look alike... so I cannot put out pairs for breeding.

They are easy to keep, hatch and rear.... no problem.

[Gaawie]

It's really cool seeing this being done, thanks for the info. Do you need any special permits or anything to import the eggs?

[Henk Hugo]

So you have all the permits to import eggs etc? Did the peat get gama radiated to kill any bugs etc?


It's really cool seeing this being done, thanks for the info. Do you need any special permits or anything to import the eggs?

It would be the same as any livestock and soil/plant matter

[Gaawie]

Ah ok, shot Henk.

[DS DG]

bt are u going to try breed them? and if so ill purchase some from you...ive ordered a pair of cape lopez killis from jungle aquatics and might get them today-depending on my moms mood- and was wondering if you know how to influence breeding?

[Donny]

Well done Cheetah stunning looking fish.. awesome read..

[PeterWest]

So they hatch after five minutes in water?

[Cheetah]

Those (my first lot) started hatching after about 5 minutes..... On average, I'd say within the first 8 hours and of course.... you can re-dry the peat again and try for later hatchings.

[Go-Big]

I saw these eggs for sale on a SA site.

[Cheetah]

I saw these eggs for sale on a SA site.

I am tempted to find out more about that Go-Big..... But I'd rather opt out.

[Go-Big]

Do you think it might be bad quality? and......i presume these are annuals. I once read that these egg can survive being dried out because in there natural habitat the ponds dry out every year and the eggs survive in the dry mud. and the second hatching is also a survival tactic.

[Cheetah]

To the contrary Go-Big..... I think it'll take a very clever person to make a hash-up with the hatching of these, (rearing them is a slightly different story, but also not rocket science).... and allthough they are reasonably priced.... I know most of the Nothobranchius species are black listed and for this reason.... I would rather not elaborate. (but, they are stunning fish)

The same people are selling Triops and Fairy Shrimp, which are also just as interesting to keep, raise, and breed...... But unfortunately, they are also listed and thus undesirable to have. - (they also have some illegal plants for sale)....... If it is a nice to have, then know..... "It is BL".

[Go-Big]

Clearly not much is being done to stop these. Exp the Triops. You get them everywere, even the hobbyshop in the local mall sells them.(with food and all)

[Henk Hugo]

some info from the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004 (ACT 10 of 2004): PUBLICATION OF LISTS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, ENDANGERED, VULNERABLE AND PROTECTED SPECIES


CATEGORY:
Protected Species – Indigenous species of high conservation value or national importance that require national protection



Nothobranchius orthonotus
Spotted Killifish
Nothobranchius rachovii
Rainbow Killifish






Penalties
74. A person convicted of an offence in terms of regulation 73 is liable to -
(a) a fine of R100 000-00 or three times the commercial value of the specimen in respect of which the offence was committed, whichever is the greater;
(b) to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years; or
(c) to both a fine and such imprisonment.

[Zoom]

Thanks Henk.