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Re: Loaded daphnias... was Vinegar eels

Possibly posted to the list accidentally. Interesting stuff, so I have
answered there, too.

Ron wrote:
> 
> Hi Wright,
> 
> > From: KillieTalk Digest <Owner-KillieTalk at AKA_Org>
> > To: Owner-KillieTalk at AKA_Org
> 
> > From: Wright Huntley <huntley1 at home_com>
> > Subject: Re: Vinegar eels
> 
> << Instead of BBS, would daphnias or micro-worms be suitable as well.  I'm
> new
> << to killies and just bought some Aphyosemion Australe (gold form) to try
> and
> << breed them.
> 
> > IMO, there is *no* alternative to bbs. Eels, microworms, etc., are a
> > useful supplement or emergency backup, but they lack complete nutrition.
> > Dapnia, unless pre-loaded with fatty acids and vitamins, are even
> > poorer.

> I was following the discussion on preloading daphnias prior to feeding but
> no conclusive approach was agreed on with regards to type of soluble
> vitamins and supplements.  In your case, if you *really* have to use
> preload daphnias, what is your personal recommendation or choice of
> supplement.

bbs :-) 

I simply wouldn't try, quite frankly, so have no suggestions. I would
prefer to dose Artemia to enrich them. They have no shell and are more
palatable to younger babies. I might emulsify cod liver oil and add
liquid vitamins. I would probably check with friends at Brine Shrimp
Direct or SFBB first to avoid catastrophe.


>snip... and how often would you feed the newly hatched killies.

2-3 times a day, if possible. Some foods like infusoria, green water,
vinegar eels and microworms live for many hours or indefinitely in the
tank. Those bridge the gap if you can't feed 3 times a day.

I also use the dehydrated decap eggs from Brine Shrimp Direct
(non-hatching kind) as an emergency backup when a hatch fails or is too
skimpy. Once young killies have tasted real live bbs for a week or so,
they will usually take the unhatched eggs quite readily. The eggs are
even *more* nutritious than newly hatched nauplii. Unfortunately, they
don't wriggle and trigger the early feeding reflex. :-(

> 
> I've also contemplated on mail-ordering killie eggs from High Prairie Farms
> at; http://www.atchison.com/fishfor.htm#eggs
> 
> What are the expected survival rate of these eggs and I would appreciate it
> very much, if members of this list with such experience, can enlighten me.

We nearly all ship eggs all over the world. If gathered and packed
properly, they should be nearly 100% viable. Jim's a good guy and stands
behind his stuff, so I would say go for it. If he doesn't, LMK and I'll
sell him some terrible fish at the next club auction. ;-)

I've had eggs from Argentina cook in the mailbox in the sun, and lost in
"customs" going the other way. But Japan, New Zealand, Europe, and most
of the US it has worked OK for me. I even sent some Lampeye eggs to
Japan, and they got a good hatch, as I did from their *Cynolebias* eggs.

> 
> BTW, I'm from Asia, Singapore and it's a long way from where you guys are.

Air Mail, Express mail and overnight air shipment take some of the pain
out of that. Commercial air freight usually has a $100 minimum, and gobs
of customs/Fish&Wildlife paperwork, so is only useful for big shipments.
Try to send as carry-on luggage with a friend, if possible. That can be
the safest. It's easiest with our customs, too. Just don't say anything
to the Airline or they may balk.

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntley1 at home dot com

Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.
                                  Thomas Sowell
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