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

[Alberto Restrepo Ubach <restrepo at sandiego_edu>]

Joel,

Here are some suggestions and observations that may help you. 
Remember, however, that these comments are based on my own 
experiences, and my experiences are probably different from those of 
others.  I'm sure that there are others who can add to and/or correct 
some of these statements.  Just listen to a variety of voices, and 
then try things out, imitate, and innovate.  That said:

At 2:44 AM -0700 4/7/04, Joel Saunders wrote:

> 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?

Fry are, almost by definition, tiny. :) ... (Except, of course, those 
of some 'big a**' semi-annuals and annuals).  It's been my experience 
that one occasionally gets what I think are premature hatches.  They 
are relatively easy to tell by the huge yolk sack, somewhat curved 
appearance, and seemingly underdeveloped head and tail.  They also 
move very little, even when the water around them is disturbed.  The 
fact that it stays at the bottom, however, is not enough evidence of 
a belly slider.  Give it a few days. You may find out that it starts 
swimming more actively tomorrow.  On a different note, you have 30 
eggs: expect to loose a few to hatching problems.  If you don't, 
great!

> 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?

You are hatching the eggs and raising the fry in the same container? 
Did I get that right?  I guess everybody does things differently, but 
my suggestion is that you keep the eggs in a small container with 
clean water (maybe something like a small 'tupperware' container and 
certainly something smaller than a shoebox).  Once the fry start 
hatching, you can then transfer them (as they hatch) into the shoebox 
--or whatever container you are going to use to raise them for the 
first few days/weeks.  I think that the latter container should 
certainly have a snail or two and some java moss.  Eventually, that 
combination will ensure the appearance of micro-organisms that serve 
as back-up food --not to mention help keep the water clean.  I think 
that you can start with newly hatched artemia right away.  Just feed 
sparingly.  Your concern with fouling the water is legitimate.  I am 
convinced that polluted water is much more of a danger than starving 
fry.

> 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.

"Acriflavine, To Use of Not to Use?"  I use it in the hatching 
container, but just barely --in other words just enough to turn the 
water a very faint shade of yellow.  As I understand it, it's a dye 
that may retard or prevent the development of fungus ... But some 
people believe that it may have negative effects on both the 
egg-shell and the embryo.  I really don't know.

> Thank you in advance for al of your help.  It is greatly appreciated.

DISCLAIMER:
As I said before, take any advice cautiously.  Most of us are 
speaking from personal experience, and these experiences are heavily 
tainted by our own little idiosyncrasies.  My suggestions are just 
what I do with the bivs and bits that I keep --such as Chutes, Lagos, 
Penda Mboko, Zagnando and Funge.  Your experiences may vary.

That being said, good luck!

Alberto
San Diego
AKA 08000
SDKG/SCKC

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