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Re: Killie Egg and Breeding Records
G & K SIMPSON wrote:
>
> I am making preparations to start my new journey in breeding killies and I
> know that some of you have many tanks and breed many varities of killies. I
> realize the importance of keeping good records, espically when trading the
> fish so that prospective new owners have a background on the fish.
You bet! Wish more breeders appreciated this.
>
> My question is this, what do some of you do to keep acurate records. Use a
> computer data base? Use prepaired breeding record forms to write in the
> data? Maybe use simple 3 x 5 cards to record data?
None of the above. My method is ultra simple. Avery labels.
>
> For the Africian Cichlids I breed, I use a *journal* format via
> wordprocessing software to record my data. I thought it would be
> interesting to see what others are doing and perhaps follow a different,
> better format. Any suggestions?
I've tried spreadsheets, but have always hated them for various obvious
reasons. I never seem to keep a journal up. Change is too fast and we
keep too many species.
If I get fish in labeled bags, I peel off or cut out the label and
attach to their new tank. [Scotch tape if cut] When I get a "round tuit"
(supply on order, now) I use MS Word and the Avery wizard to make up a
page of labels, usually with more than one label per species. The "Move
'em" labels are great for tanks and shoe-boxes, but may not stay on well
enough for the club auction. :-( I therefore have the cheap ones around
for shipping and auctions. Labels are way better than unreadable pens
anyway.*
Each label has Genus and species (in italics), collection code and
location, usually some underlined spaces labeled "Collected," "Hatched",
and "#". I then use copies of the labels on hatching containers, Petrie
dishes, or peat-storage bags, as well as tanks and shipping bags.
Most importantly, the labels always have my name, phone, and e-mail, so
whoever buys them has a way to reach me with questions or problems. That
all fits nicely on a standard 1" mailing label, if you have a decent
ink-jet printer.
I don't always count eggs, so I may just use a simple code in the "#"
space. It runs from "-" or "few" for poor collection to "+++" for the
kind where you have eggs sticking to your hands whenever you handle the
mop or peat.
I keep sheets of blank labels in the fishroom and a good stock of the
"Sharpie" Ultra-Fine-Point pens. If I don't have a printed label
available, I write one by hand until the new shipment of "round tuits"
arrives. I *can* usually read my own handwriting, but the bag scrawlings
of others is often pitiful!
By printing a few too many labels, and keeping them on a clipboard, I
can look back and see just about what I have kept in the past, too.
I could care less about keeping track of how many I have shipped (or
killed?). I don't bother to record from whom I received them. That is
usually easy to remember, anyway.
I'm interested in observing and learning about my fish, and passing them
on with accurate info attached. Therefore, the simplest and least
time-consuming method is what works for me.
Lately, since I have color digital camera and printer, I have been
playing with making auction labels with good photos. I like to sell very
young pairs or breeding groups, so others get a maximum chance to breed
them. Unfortunately, that does not give a good view of what the adult
fish should show. Mature, over-the-hill and burned-out breeders always
*look* best in the bag. I'm hoping a clear color pic will help the newer
folks see what they are getting into, so they can buy at a more
survivable, breedable age.
Wright
__________________________
* Since I discovered how much toluene gets inside the bags, I try to
avoid buying fish that have had the broad-tip markers used on their
inner bags. Fill a bag with air, mark all over it with a wide-tipped
"Sharpie" and let it set. Later, open the bag and smell that air. Whew!
Can't be good for fish, IMHO.
--
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679 huntley1 at home dot com
************Organizing an effort to stamp out all TLAs.****************
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