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Eggs hatching (was Re: KillieTalk Digest V3 #60)



LeeH920226 at aol_com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 2/1/2000 11:39:36 PM, Doclbg at cs_com writes:
> 
> <<   (I've kept most of the gathered eggs, Nothos and
> Aphyosemions, etc. in small test tubes  >>
> 
> I have had much better success in shallow larger surface area containers for
> water incubation (Petri dishes). Also some species do better in, no make that
> they must have, softer water for the eggs to be viable. If they are viable
> and if there is sufficient oxygen you don't need any fungicide. Putting them
> on peat is another way to keep them from fungusing, but only if they are
> viable to begin with.

Lee hit it right on.

My experience is that fertile eggs with adequate oxygen rarely fungus. Dead
eggs fungus. If you start them in a shallow, loosely covered dish with tank
water, changing 50% each day for 3 days with distilled, DI or RO water, you
will have greatly softened the water with minimal shock to the eggs. Many
rainforest-fish eggs do seem to have trouble hatching in harder water.

If you simply cannot resist using chemicals, a *faint* tint in the water of
a mild antibacterial like methylene blue or acriflavine (neither do diddly
to fungus, BTW) may not harden the chorion so much that they can't hatch. I
sometimes use a mix of both to get a very weak green tint in that first
water, with 50%/day RO dilutions reducing it to nearly nothing in 3 days.
YMMV, but works pretty well for me when non-dye methods fail.

A wee sprig of Java moss will introduce a few rotifers. They will keep the
water sparkling clear as they suck up all the bacteria. One tiny drop of
Liquifry #1 after the babies are free swimming will cause an infusoria bloom
so they have constant food between bbs feedings. A few baby snails will help
clean up, too, so the water doesn't foul and needs less frequent changes.
Most snails can eat eggs so just wait for the hatch before adding them.
Instead of water change, move them to bigger quarters and add much more
water of about the same hardness or more. Eventually use changes to harden
the water by using less RO and more tap each time.

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntleyone at home dot com

         "DEMOCRACY" is two wolves and a lamb voting on lunch.
     "LIBERTY" is a well-armed lamb denying enforcement of the vote.
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