Breeding Techniques for Killifish Guide

Thanks to their spectacular colors, peaceful temperaments and diversity of over 1,200 species, killifish remain popular pet fish options. However, captive breeding proves essential since nearly all die within two years. This guide will teach you how to successfully propagate killifish eggs to raise these stunning short-lived fish at home.

Selecting Breeding Adults

The process begins with selecting a proven breeding pair.

Age & Health
Choose healthy, mature fish at least 8 months of age showing optimal finnage and colors. Younger fish often yield low fertility while elderly specimens suffer reduced spawning vigor.

Species
Some more beginner friendly killifish species to begin with include the Gardneri, Aphyosemion striatum and Fundulopanchax sjoestedti varieties. Avoid sensitive species at first.

Natural Spawning Enclosures

Mimicking seasonal water level changes which prompt spawning takes some preparation.

Distinct Wet & Dry Seasons
Killifish require separate enclosures for wet and dry spawning periods to simulate African or South American wetlands. This forces pairs to deposit eggs that can survive drying out.

Plant Terrariums
Keep pairs together year round in heavily planted 20-30 gallon species tanks. Introduce terrariums layered with aged peat moss, sand and aquarium gravel during dry seasons lasting 1-2 months for spawning and egg laying. The parents should then get returned to regular tank housing.

Peat Moss
This soft, mildly acidic organic material provides an ideal environment for embryo development and limits fungal or bacterial growth during dry conditions.

Incubating and Hatching Eggs

Once you notice eggs scattered throughout the moist peat moss, transfer this media to sealable plastic containers for incubation as follows:

Remove Adults
Take out the adult killifish once egg deposition finishes to prevent them from eating viable eggs accidentally.

Add Spring Water
Moisten peat moss lightly with cool spring water treated with a dechlorinator. Too much moisture risks mold growth and hatching failures.

Store Containers
Store the sealed containers holding the peat moss and embryos in an area with temperatures between 74-78°F out of direct sunlight. Mark the dates clearly on the storage boxes.

Aerate After 60-90 Days
Gently aerate the peat moss with aquarium air pumps 60-90 days later. Newly hatched fry will start visibly wiggling within a few days once fully embryonated as their yolk sacs get absorbed!

Raising the Fry

The small larval fish you’ve successfully bred require attentive, diligent care. Read on to learn vital steps.

Transfer In Groups
Use basters to gently transfer wiggly fry still carrying yolk sac remnants into small nursery tanks filled with aged water in groups of 20-30. Mortality rates prove high initially but stabilize after a few days. Don’t feed at first.

Live Food Feasts
Wean killifish fry onto infusoria, microworm and brine shrimp nauplii multiple times daily once free swimming. Avoid overcrowding to curb disease outbreaks. Cull weak individuals promptly.

Partial Water Changes
Perform regular partial water changes and filter gently initially using sponges only – not strong currents which could trap the tiny fry!

Conclusion

From selecting prolific breeding pairs to facilitating spawning using dry/wet simulation techniques, incubating the eggs properly and raising fragile fry, breeding killifish requires dedication but seems deeply satisfying when you successfully propagate these magnificent fish yourself! Reach out to specialty killifish hobbyist groups for guidance.

FAQs About Breeding Killifish

1. How do you know if killifish eggs are fertile?
Fertile killifish eggs appear opaque yellow or gold in color initially, darkening over time. White or transparent eggs generally signify infertility, though some species exhibit lighter embryonic hues normally.

2. What temperature do killifish eggs hatch at?
Most killifish eggs optimally hatch after incubating at temperatures between 74-84°F for a duration around 30-90 days based heavily upon individual species. Warmer temperatures speed up hatch times.

3. Can you raise baby killifish in a community tank?
Raising vulnerable killifish fry with adult fish almost always ends disastrously due to predation. Keep fry separated in bare nursery tanks without substrates, only transferring to display tanks once they reach juvenille size of 1-1.5 inches long.

4. How long do killifish fry live without food?
Killifish fry can subsist 3-5 days off their yolk reserves before requiring infusoria and microfoods. Moving fry to rearing tanks prematurely often results in starvation before they transition to external feedings.

5. What plants are good for killifish eggs?
Plants with fine leaves like hornwort, elodea and java moss help produce infusoria for first-feeding fry. Anacharis, guppy grass and floating plants provide protective cover as they grow. Dense plants curb aggression too.