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Spawning Media |
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Substrates for bottom spawning killifish
(click on any medium below for more
info) |
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Sand
Garden peat
Jiffy 7 pellets
Long Fiber Peat
Oak Leaf Coir
(coconut fiber) |
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Water Incubation |
Hatch Water
Additives |
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Many killifishes eggs are water incubated. That means full
development is realized while being totally submerged under water
(like most fishes). Usually, the eggs are hand picked from mops and
placed in a shallow container of water. Oftentimes a additive like
the two shown to the right are used. Methylene blue is a mild
disenfectant dye and acriflavine is a anti-fungal agent. In both
cases, it is best to use a weaker solution than one recommended on
the packaging. |
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Methylene Blue |
Acriflavine |
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MOPS |
Mops are one of the two main mediums used in the hobby for the
collection of killifish eggs. The change in texture against a
otherwise bare aquarium can trigger the fishes instinct to deposit
eggs there. Mops can simulate plants or bottom debris, and will
likley be the place fo killifsh to lay thier eggs if offered as the
only "in tank" object. Typically mops vary in length from 6-12" and
are usually made from synthetic yarns like acrylic and nylon, with
anywhere from 50-200 strands making a suitable mop. A cork or other
buyant device is used to keep the mop upright in water (top mop), or
not, if no floatation is required (bottom mop) |
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Sand
Most
substrate/bottom spawning killifish will lay/bury their eggs in
sand. Sand comes in may grades/sizes, and the type represented here
is a fine sized "hobby sand" that is used for sand artwork in clear
bowls, et. As a spawning medium, sand is abrasive and outright
hostile to newly laid eggs, or yesterdays eggs as the fish disturb
the sand laying new eggs. You may experience upwards a 90% loss from
damage if not initially, then in later stages as fungus attacks the
eggs compromised surface. |
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On the flip side, it works like a charm for
"group spawning" when using multiple pairs or trios, et. Where
non-participatory egg hungry fish would normally predate eggs in
peat, in sand they tend not to hunt around for them. In short, more
eggs are damaged, but then again, less get eaten, so you start with
more. Any color will work, but check the package or test it and make
sure the colorant is water resistant and non-toxic. You may find
black to offer the most contrast for harvesting clear eggs. To use
sand, it is best to spread it no deeper than 1"-2" in a shallow
elongated container. The fish will usually deposit the eggs near the
sides & corners because the sides offer leverage for the spawning
embrace. To harvest eggs, remove the coniner along with any water it
holds and gently disturb it with a turkey baster. A light shinning
parallel to the surface will aid in illuminating clear eggs against
the background. |
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References |
Websites |
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