Killifish
"eyed-up" Nothobranchius egg

The short life-span of annual fish is probably their biggest disadvantage, if you don't breed them, you soon won't have them! On the plus side the dry period the eggs go through allows their easy transportation around the world, and means (to a limited extent) you can hatch them when you want.

Even though many species of annual fish have predictable incubation periods, there can be wide variation, and the only way to be sure that your eggs are ready is to examine them. This is the egg of a Nothobranchius (in this case melanospilis, magnification 25x)- the eye can be clearly seen with its golden iris. This is the best sign that they are ready to hatch. Sometimes the eggs are not visible; in this case wetting the peat is the only way to find out whether the eggs are ready. On rare occasions the eggs can develop in only a few weeks; this often happens with newly collected species, but there have even been cases of fish that have been in the hobby for decades still producing a few eggs that develop very quickly.

When the eggs are ready to hatch place them with the peat into a container with a couple inches of water. It is important that this water has a high oxygen content, so keep it cool (16-20°c) and shallow to start with and add gentle aeration. A high level of oxygen will ensure that all fry are able to fill their swimbladders and maintain buoyancy. Fish that fail to do this are known as belly sliders.

After a day or two the fry can be moved to larger quarters, either by spooning them out, or sucking them up using a baster or large pipette. The fry can be raised most easily in a large tank, shallow at first, which is gradually topped up. Try and include a few snails, to eat up uneaten food, and a few plants to keep the water clean and encourage infusoria. This can be accomplished in several smaller tanks. Even with very frequent water changes it is very hard to raise more than a handful of these fish in a single small tank. As the fish grow the largest start to dominate and should be separated. these are generally males, and will out-compete some of the smaller (often female) fish. If well fed, many Nothobranchius will be fully coloured and breeding several weeks from hatching.

Two day old Nothobranchius fry in a few centimetres of water, above the peat from which they hatched
Two day old Nothobranchius fry in a few centimetres of water, above the peat from which they hatched

African annual killifish for sale

2 Pack of Guenthers Killie Med Size Nothobranchius Guentheri Beautiful OVERNIGHT

Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$34

? Guenther's Killie ?? A Beautiful and Hardy Killifish!
Guenther's Killie, scientifically known as Nothobranchius guentheri, is a striking and colorful species of killifish, known for its vibrant red and blue coloration and intriguing life cycle. These fish are hardy and well-suited for a wide variety of aquarium setups, making them a popular choice for both novice and experienced aquarists. Their unique beauty and peaceful temperament make them a fantastic addition to planted or ... more

Nothobranchius Ruudwildekampi | Eggs in Substrate | Rare East African Killifish

Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM

£20

This lot includes uncounted eggs of Nothobranchius ruudwildekampi in the spawning substrate. It's a result of 2-pair x 10-day spawn
This species is restricted to Tanzania's coastal freshwater environments. It is known from seasonal pools and swamps in the Mbezi, Luhule, and a small stream system immediately related with the northern fringe zone of the Rufiji delta in coastal Tanzania
The eggs are incredibly delicate, although they can survive a considerable amount of disruption. The eggs... more

Killifish Eggs Nothobranchius - Tropical Freshwater Fish Eggs for Hatching

Samut Prakan, THAILAND

$22

About us
We are a live fish food farm based in Thailand, which has focused on researching and developing fish food products
Some of our best sellers are the ready-to-hatch eggs of Daphnia, Artemia, Triops, Fairy shrimp, Rotifers, and Moina that can be hatched, cultured, and fed to your fish (also shellfish, crab, and shrimp) as live food. Other recommended products include UHT high-nutrient food made from living black mosquito larvae, and Moina Macrocopa kept fresh in sterilized... more

Nothobranchius Eggersi | Eggs in Substrate | East African Killifish | Red Strain

Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM

£20

This lot includes uncounted eggs of Nothobranchius eggersi in the spawning substrate. It's a result of 2-pair x 10-day spawn
This species is endemic to the lower basin of the Rufiji River in Tanzania. Its natural habitat is temporary pools and swamps. Nothobranchius eggersi was described in 1982 by Lothar Seegers with the type biology given as the Rufiji River near Utete, eastern Tanzania. The specific name honours Seegers companion on two expeditions, the German aquarist Gerd Eggers
The... more

Nothobranchius | Randomly Selected | Toothcarp | Killifish | Stunning Fish

Woking, GU21***, UNITED KINGDOM

£10

Offering here randomly selected Nothobranchius The image used above is for illustration purposes only.
The size is approximately 3 - 4 cm The fishes are sold as youngsters and have not yet reached their full size and colour potential We combine postage if you order more fish or other goods from us. This lot is based on a pre-order basis. It may take up to 15 working days (except weekends and holidays) before this order is shipped. In case if for whatever reason we can't get the fish within ... more