[Killietalk] A. Bitaeniatum hatching; first foods (newbie questions)

["Joel Saunders" <fishguy5000 at hotmail_com>]

Thank you to everyone who answered my questions a couple of weeks ago about 
setting up a pair of Aphyosemion Bitaeniatum "Majitam" for breeding (my 
first killies). After a couple of days of heavy feeding of bbs and frozen 
bloodworms, egg production picked up, and I collected about 35 eggs over a 
five day period.  These eggs have been water incubating for about 2 weeks, 
and I have lost about 5 or 6 eggs to fungus.  Tonight I had my first fry 
hatch, and I'm concerned.  It is extremely tiny (alomost looks like an egg 
with a skinny little tail), and has not left the bottom.  I'm afraid that I 
may have a belly-slider on my hands.  How long does it normally take the 
swim bladder to inflate?

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help me through the next few 
days, as the fry begin to hatch. The 30 eggs are in a plastic shoebox with 
about 1/2 an inch of water, and a gentle air stone for water circulation. My 
water has a pH of 8.2 and is very hard.  Immediately after I spotted the 
hatched fry, I added a tiny bit of APR to the water, as well as a small 
number of vinegar eels.  Can BIT fry take vinegar eels right away?  I don't 
want them to perish from lack of food, but I'm also concerned with fouling 
the water.  How soon should I offer bbs?  I'm also considering adding a 
small snail to eat leftover food.  I have done this before with Rainbow fry, 
but never with eggs.  Will a snail eat the unhatched eggs?  Should I wait 
until all the fry hatch before adding a snail?

Also, for future spawnings, should I use acriflavine to prevent fungus?  I 
bought some this time, but didn't use it because I vaguely remembered 
reading something about it being harmful to the fry. Thank you in advance 
for al of your help.  It is greatly appreciated.

Joel

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