Killifish eggs

[andbigdaddy2]

Hey what do you guys know about buying Killie fish eggs?

I know they arent brine shrimp so is this real or a joke can dried killi fish eggs hatch?

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[TAF CAF]

Yep... am told that they dry killie eggs.

[RoseHawke]

From what I understand, some killies are something called "annual" fish. They basically hatch, mature, spawn and die in a mud puddle (or equivalent) that comes with seasonal rains. Then the eggs dry up with the onslaught of dry season to await the next season's rains to start the cycle anew. Because of this the eggs can actually be mailed when they're in that dormant state and then when introduced to the proper conditions will hatch and produce fry.

I believe because of this killies are rather short lived fish, although they will live longer than the one season they would in the wild.

There are some awful pretty ones though.

[spdskr]

Unlike most fresh water fish, killifish lay hard shelled eggs that require several weeks to hatch. The newly hatched young are well developed, having already absorbed the yolk sac before hatching, and are free swimming upon hatching. While there are many species of "annual" killifish, most species do not require their eggs be dried (if the eggs are truely allowed to dry like brine shrimp cysts they will die). But since the eggs of all species have relatively hard shells (you can hold them in your finger tips without damaging them) they can be stored in damp peat moss for several weeks (or months with annual species) before being returned to the aquarium. This is how we killi breeders can ship eggs all over the world. Before purchasing eggs from AB or even other hobbiest, I suggest doing more research. Try starting with the American Killifish Association website: www.aka.org . Once there you can find links to other sites as well. Most all killies are very pretty fish and not to difficult to keep and even breed. It just pays to be informed before you spend your money .