Every summer, I say I'll never do this again. But I must have a gambling streak in me, somewhere. So every summer, I buy killifish eggs in the mail.
This year's lottery is four species that have arrived, and one on its way.
I got eggs of two Aphyosemions, ocellatum and pyrophore, from Poland. That didn't go well, as the Polish mail is very inefficient. They were 20 days in transit, and while many of the eggs are intact, they don't look great. There is still hope of a hatch though. They're in water, and I'm waiting. It's my second try with Poland, and the first spent 2 weeks in a sorting facility in Warsaw. Nothing hatched from that one. This one was a touch quicker.
Today, I received a Chromaphyosemion and a new collection of Aphyosemion zygaima. The latter is a species I have kept since 1992, and I decided to take a chance on the only other importation, from a couple of years ago, just to see how different they might be from the ones I've bred for 30 plus years. I won't cross the lines (if I get fish...) but will keep them apart to see what I have. I found them really difficult when I started with them, and now I can find out of it was them or me. Most likely, it was me.
Today's arrivals came from France, and were here in 8 days. Since both species incubate for 2 weeks plus, and the eggs look good, I am optimistic there.
The final lot should be easier, as they only have 1000 km to travel, from central Canada. They are Aphyosemion striatum.
So, did I waste my money? Killies are Euro currency, as the US hobby has largely stopped breeding and sharing out fish. The exchange rate is high for me. But when it works, it's great. Over the years, I have had about a 75% success rate. Within 3 weeks, I'll know what this year's score is. Five chances. Let's see.
This year's lottery is four species that have arrived, and one on its way.
I got eggs of two Aphyosemions, ocellatum and pyrophore, from Poland. That didn't go well, as the Polish mail is very inefficient. They were 20 days in transit, and while many of the eggs are intact, they don't look great. There is still hope of a hatch though. They're in water, and I'm waiting. It's my second try with Poland, and the first spent 2 weeks in a sorting facility in Warsaw. Nothing hatched from that one. This one was a touch quicker.
Today, I received a Chromaphyosemion and a new collection of Aphyosemion zygaima. The latter is a species I have kept since 1992, and I decided to take a chance on the only other importation, from a couple of years ago, just to see how different they might be from the ones I've bred for 30 plus years. I won't cross the lines (if I get fish...) but will keep them apart to see what I have. I found them really difficult when I started with them, and now I can find out of it was them or me. Most likely, it was me.
Today's arrivals came from France, and were here in 8 days. Since both species incubate for 2 weeks plus, and the eggs look good, I am optimistic there.
The final lot should be easier, as they only have 1000 km to travel, from central Canada. They are Aphyosemion striatum.
So, did I waste my money? Killies are Euro currency, as the US hobby has largely stopped breeding and sharing out fish. The exchange rate is high for me. But when it works, it's great. Over the years, I have had about a 75% success rate. Within 3 weeks, I'll know what this year's score is. Five chances. Let's see.
