Egg shells too hard?? - South American Annual Killifish

Hi,

I have some Austrolebias Nigripinnis 'Sagastome' eggs and they are eyed up.
However I have wet them now three times, waiting at least 2 weeks between each wetting and nothing seems to hatch.

I know the fish are alive because I can see them move under the microscope.
Also the first wetting hatched 14 fry over two months ago.

Is there a chance that the shell of the egg is too hard for these little guy's to break out from?
If so does anyone have a method of softening the shell?

Also how do people know when they can see eyes in the egg that they are ready and not still in between diapause 2 & 3?

Hoping someone can help.

Thanks

 

It is common practice to put a little dab of microworms in the hatching container. Not sure if it's the sense that food is waiting, or the reduced oxygen caused by the worms, or something else altogether.

Another trick I've used is putting the eggs in a small vial and carrying it in my shirt pocket for a few hours. Both methods have worked for me in the past.

 

It is common practice to put a little dab of microworms in the hatching container. Not sure if it's the sense that food is waiting, or the reduced oxygen caused by the worms, or something else altogether.

Another trick I've used is putting the eggs in a small vial and carrying it in my shirt pocket for a few hours. Both methods have worked for me in the past.

Thanks.

That's funny that a reduction of oxygen would induce the hatching.
I actually add (oxygen tablets) to the water so that the fry are able to fill their swim bladders with oxygen.

It also prevents belly sliders.

I'll try the vile in the pocket.

Thanks again.

 

The fry go to the surface to fill their bladders with air, not oxygen. This is why they should never be hatched in more than 2 inches of water. I always used shoe boxes for hatching.

 

The fry go to the surface to fill their bladders with air, not oxygen. This is why they should never be hatched in more than 2 inches of water. I always used shoe boxes for hatching.

Yes I do the same. Shoe box and small amounts of water.

I'm just not sure why they are not hatching.
Could the water be too cold?
Have they been incubated too long?

I normally only keep the eggs in water for 3 days and then re-dry.

Have you ever left them for longer and got them to hatch after a week?

I have read this happen to someone who left his WhiteI eggs in water for a couple of weeks.

Thanks.

Anyone else have any ideas/suggestions?

 

Water temperature could be a factor. I should also note that I always use actual rainwater, since I live in a location where the rain is not heavily polluted. However, I still filter it before using it.

 

Water temperature could be a factor. I should also note that I always use actual rainwater, since I live in a location where the rain is not heavily polluted. However, I still filter it before using it.

What do you mean you filter it?

Thanks

 

Raindrop is water surrounding a dust particle. I run a box filter in a container of rainwater, and filter it through peat as well as polyester fiber. After 24 hours, it is usually safe.

 

Raindrop is water surrounding a dust particle. I run a box filter in a container of rainwater, and filter it through peat as well as polyester fiber. After 24 hours, it is usually safe.

Is it better to wait 2 or 3 or 4 weeks before re-wetting?

Its been 16 days since I first wet them and about 14 days since I dried them again.

TY

 

I always waited another month between wettings. I think that is the norm.

 

I always waited another month between wettings. I think that is the norm.

Second wetting. Using rain water in two hatching containers and aged water in the other two containers.

Nothing!!!

I haven't added microworms because I am afraid that these will spoil the remaining eggs when I dry them again. How do you prevent that?