Re: [Killietalk] Beginner: Aus. nigripinnis

[k8cz at att_net (Tom Isgro)]

Hi Michelle and welcome to the Wonderful world of Killifish.
Just a couple of thoughts from an old coot that's been around the block a couple of times.

While its true that a pair or two can be kept in small tanks, if you are successful in getting them to spawn (and there's no reason you shouldn't), you will eventually need some larger tanks to raise them.

I wouldn't advise keeping them in community tanks if the purpose is to generate more fish.  Most fish will cannibilize babies if given a chance.  Keep your breeders in separate tanks and remove eggs often.

If you want access to fish, JOIN THE AKA if you haven't already. The AKA has literally hundreds of members and many people breeding and distributing fish in the hobby.  The monthly F&E listing contains many available fish and eggs for sale or trade.  Prices are generally lower than on Aqaubid (IMHO) although shipping may still be expensive (the way around this is to buy many fish and distribute the cost over a number of pairs.  It costs just a little more to ship 3 or 4 pairs as opposed to one.  Find a nearby fish buddy and split the order.)

Nigripinnis is a gorgeous fish, although I wouldn't necessarily suggest it as a "beginner's species".  That having been said it was my first killy.  I received a bag of eggs (in peat) from a local member when I first joined.  A few days later I had literally hundreds of fry swimming  in a two gallon drum.  I eventually had to move them to a 55 to grow them to saleable size.  I would start with something like A. australe a relatively easy top spawner.  Again my opinion, others may give you another.

The Beginners Guide would be my only suggestion to a beginning killikeeper for reading material.  I know of several others, but they are long out of print.  Ruth Warner is still selling copies of her late husband Ed's book.  That might be another.  If you can find Terceira's book grab it, you can't have mine (I'm taking it to my grave).

LFS don't have killies because they don't spawn in large numbers like most of the fish you will see there and most won't pay a small hobbyist anything near what it costs to raise them to size.  Don't expect to make your mark on the aquarium world by being the first to market large quantities of killies.

Best foods.  LIVE:  daphnia, black worms, brine shrimp.  The little rascals love to munch on stuff that swims.  Second best frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, maybe some homemade paste foods.  I wouldn't waste time on commercially available flakes.  Egg production suffers big time.  Just MY experience (30 sumpthing years).

So with all this in mind, get some fish and have some fun.  

--
Tom Isgro
Hamilton, OH

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Michelle Mathews" <bellapoison at gmail_com>
> Cross-posted to AKA board...
> 
> I've been looking at killifish and am attracted to them because, well,
> they're beautiful and also, they can be kept in small tanks--unlike
> cichlids, I don't need to go out and buy a 100-gallon tank. Since I have a
> couple of 5-gallons and a 1-gallon lying around...
> 
> Anyhow, I've never bred fish before. I read the AKA beginners' guide twice,
> though. But I am looking for some more reading material about breeding and
> keeping killies. Book recommendations?
> 
> The killie I'm most attracted to right now is the Aus. nigripinnis. Is this
> a decent fish for a beginner or should I start with something simpler?
> 
> Also, just curious--why are killies not available in local fish stores?
> 
> Thanks!
> Michelle
> Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
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