How I Bred Gardneri Killifish at Home

[@MakeMoreFish]

Thanks for watching! Feel free to leave questions in the comments if you have them, and If you enjoyed this video, consider subscribing to see future projects. For more info on the fry tray shown in this video, see the "about" section of this KZbin channel.

[@jwcarlson]

I see a Lowell's Fish Lab video. I click.

[@Lisa.Sparkman]

Me too! ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@MakeMoreFish]

Thanks for being here :)

[@MakeMoreFish]

Oh, and merry Christmas / happy holidays to all those celebrating something. I hope it's been a wonderful year. Let's do it again.

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

Interesting Killifish are cousin of guppy, molly, platy and swordtail, but more close to Asian and Africa Killifish

[@eyegnieesllA]

I've never seen someone use green thread to simulate plants like you have. It looks great and its so simple. Genius.

[@MakeMoreFish]

If you do some searches for "spawning mop" you'll find loads of guides on how to make and use them. I can't take credit for this one, they've been used for decades!

[@Claya94]

This lab needs to many more followers. It’s amazing

[@wheatonderek]

Great video as always! I'll certainly be sharing it with local folks that I've gotten started with gardneri. I got a pair of gardneri last year and have been breeding and spreading them to local hobbyists. They're wonderful and beautiful fish and an ideal introduction to killies for newer folks. My "easy road" has been to condition the male and female separately for a week or so and then put them in a 5 gallon bucket with 4 or 5 inches of water in the bottom and a spawning mop or two. The shallow water means the mop lays largely horizontally and I think, as you observed, it allows the female more chances to deposit an errant egg somewhere where it might be a little less exposed. I've been leaving mine together for a week at a time and then picking eggs. Im sure that some are eaten or lost, but with this method I tend to get a few dozen eggs with minimal work and a day per week of attention. Once I'm picking eggs, I saturate a paper towel in clean tank water, and stick the eggs to the paper towel, trying to get maybe 5-10mm distance between individual eggs. Once I have all my eggs stuck onto the paper towel, I fold it over so the eggs are covered with another layer of wet paper towel, and put the eggs in a ziplock bag. I'll check on them after a couple days to remove any opaque white ones, and after that, I leave them to sit for 2-3 weeks until they're all developed. Once they look ready, I'll flush them into a tray of water and most will hatch within 12 hours or so, allowing me to produce relatively large batches of fry that start out at the same size. I'm sure there's probably better ways to do it, and certainly less intensive ways to produce small numbers to keep a colony going, but in a year of experimentation, I've become my go-to method. Might be worth a shot if you wanna mess around with other techniques. Can't wait for more videos!

[@MakeMoreFish]

That is really interesting, the paper towel method. I am going to try that for sure. I bet fungus isn't much of an issue either.

[@MARKET_GARDNERI]

@@MakeMoreFishwhat fry powder did you use?

[@mohamadnizarkezzo1974]

Excellent work! It's always exciting to see a new video from your channel.

[@gordongrier2172]

I've literally went back and watched all of your videos thanks for the amazing advice and clarity of your quality content!

[@gutefrage879]

Two ideas come to me, to get some more eggs. The mop is very narrow. So create more space between the strings. Then it is maybe easier for the female to find a goog hidden spot. If javamoos is used you can also let it hang from the surface. Maybe the eggs will be better hidden in the javamoos.

[@lemonlizard1]

I know people constantly recommend different fish to you, but I would love to see a video on gouramis. I've bred them twice (only one batch successful) and have really enjoyed them. It would be great to see a video on how you do it, as you seem to get much higher survival rates than I do. And by the way, artificial raising has worked with gouramis, even though most people say it doesn't. I got pretty high numbers of fry to the free-swimmer stage without a father

[@MakeMoreFish]

I'm trying to find the "right" gourami to breed. Same with bettas. I need small numbers of offspring

[@onlywei]

@@MakeMoreFishwhy not honey gourami?

[@markvonwisco7369]

I have a 20 long full of F. gardneri P82s. They're the first killis that I've successfully bred.

[@elc2468]

Another excellent video from LFL! I'm always stoked when you upload a new one!

[@dragonwithamonocle]

Yessss! I've been waiting for this for a long time now! Well worth it. On the note of your question, when I was in high school there was a life-sized lifelike statue of a tiger. While just kinda checking it out the first time I really had a chance, I found myself face to face and almost nose to nose with this thing, and staring into its very not real eyes, I was still totally and completely unnerved. It's not really something I've ever experienced since, but throughout the history of humanity and our predecessors, hominids have consistently been preyed upon by large cats. Even today, leopards and tigers are some of the more dangerous animals to humans and some of the only ones that seem to seek out human prey with any regularity at all, which is saying something because almost nothing eats us given a choice of almost anything else.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I'm a big believer in modern humans retaining animal instincts. I find it really fascinating. My favorite explanation for any instinctive behavior is "because the ones who didn't are dead." I'm afraid of snakes because the people who weren't are dead.

[@cannonj22]

Love your videos. Super informative and systematic approaches. Can you do one on Coral Red Pencilfish (Nanostomus mortenthaleri)? I've caught mine spawning several times, but need the expert insight! Love the channel!

[@MakeMoreFish]

I have some Beckfordi that I plan to breed but have never owned mortenthaleri. Have you ever seen fry? I thought those were pretty tough to breed.

[@cannonj22]

Pretty difficult thus far. Unfortunately, they are super hard to sex at purchasing size and it seems that my group is really male heavy - additionally, their colors come and go with moods and certainly with age and group status (so it's not reliable for sexing them). I have seen them spawn a few times, but no fry yet. Now that I know specifically who is who, I'll probably separate the female and condition more aggressively - their spawning proceeded for several hours, but I only witnessed a very few eggs actually scattered - can't wait to see your approaches on the beckfordi's and hope they'll work on the reds!@@MakeMoreFish

[@treysimmons2179]

Another great video. Love your humor! Thanks for sharing.

[@WesleysFishClub]

Was looking for your next video! And here it is, just before heading to bed....

[@truckdriver1982]

I love your humor that comes now and then...and so suddenly 😅😅

[@MakeMoreFish]

Surprise jokes are the best jokes. Thank you :)

[@arqamsaqib7498]

What an unexpected Christmas present and Here I was thinking of what species to breed first in the coming 2024. Think I found it, Cheers Mate

[@IvansGuppies]

Love your videos! Absolute quality!

[@LanAquatics]

Awesome video! I think this species varies from individual to individual. Mine spawn in moss, substrate, or any area of the spawning mop. Some males also do a better job at fertilizing eggs than others. Overall, they are a great fish to keep.

[@MakeMoreFish]

100% true. They're individuals with their own personalities and preferences. It's hard to use superlatives when describing fish behavior.

[@LanAquatics]

@@MakeMoreFish U should breed some other killifish. Maybe some of the annual ones would be cool.

[@SchuylerS]

I wonder if they're responding to some environmental trigger like temp or water parameters.

[@lukenyanti]

I enjoy your work. Patiently waiting for your next one.

[@nicholaskritz9323]

this made my day! Ive been waiting for this one for:) Any plans on breeding some more advanced killies? clown killies maybe? Anyway, love the video!!

[@MakeMoreFish]

I would like to work with a peat spawner just to have that experience. Which species exactly, I haven't decided.

[@SchuylerS]

​@@MakeMoreFish I would recommend Nothobranchius Guentheri or Eggersi. Not Rachovii though, because that would be like a year before you put out a video...

[@johnykiwi2722]

Amazing video, love watching these and can't wait for you future breeding projects. What camera do you use to get these amazing shots? Keep up the good work :)

[@MakeMoreFish]

Most are shot with a canon M50 mk2 and a macro lens

[@mr_ant_0]

I used to put gardneri eggs into some moist peat (sterilized with boiling water first) in a zip-lock bag. wait 1-3 weeks and then hatch in some tank water. That way I could collect eggs for a week, let them all develop to a certain point and then hatch all at the same time

[@Rews-fish-shed]

Happiest of holidays to you and the family and the fishes too.

[@onlyfinsau]

Very high quality video. Thanks for sharing your approach.

[@PotooBurd]

Binge watching your videos back to back- and adding comments for the algorithm~! 🌻👍 Keep up the great content!

[@jeffkane4391]

Excellent video Lowell! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@Richardmunoz86]

Look forward to your videos. Thank you. Very responsive as well.

[@paulojac2000]

Big fan of your videos, great work.

[@aquahobby1982]

what a video .... what a video...... i watched it by casting it on tv and its no less than a National Geography documentary. Just one request , can u plz render ur video in 4K ? 4k will take this video to next level. Thanks for sharing.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I can render them in 4k but the source video isn't higher than 1920x1080 so I'm not sure how much good that will do other than eating bandwidth. I'm experimenting with it.

[@aquahobby1982]

@@MakeMoreFish it wont work .... i tried it, the quality will remain same as 1080 p.... ur video is already awesome. Plz ignore my earlier comment. It was not done with an intent of nitpicking .

[@dusty8937]

Excellent video and happy holidays Did the looser spawning mop you made produce any results? Was the pain making it worth it? 😅

[@MakeMoreFish]

It has pros and cons. It protects the eggs better but in doing so, makes them harder to pick. I think it's a good choice for moving the mop without picking eggs. Still learning about it though.

[@ElbowGrease99]

Could you do a Neon or Cardinal tetra breeding video? would love to see that!

[@davidramsaur1984]

Another amazing video! Thanks for the content. I’ve also observed killi laying at top of mop. Any idea how folks mass breed?

[@MakeMoreFish]

I would be interested to find out if they are mass bred at all. They aren't a super in-demand fish. They're the kind of fish I see in stores one pair at a time a few times per year. If I had to guess though, I would guess they let them load up spawning mops then swap the mops into different tanks.

[@migueldelaparte7485]

Another great video!😍 Did you use salt to prevent disease or it´s not neccesary with Gardneri killifish?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Not much issue with disease so far. They're a tough fish. The greatest risk to their health is themselves. They like to jump.

[@migueldelaparte7485]

Okey, thank you! Merry Christmas and i hope that 2024 will be Corydoras Pygmaeus turn to be filmed😁 @@MakeMoreFish

[@BenlshTracker]

Another fantastic video!

[@doc_ds]

Whens the next video coming out?

[@tigercow]

Amazing video, per usual.

[@MakeMoreFish]

Amazing profile picture. Would it be a Ticow or cowger?

[@tigercow]

@MakeMoreFish more a cowger in my eyes but its whatever you wish lol

[@michaelmathes1991]

I have a pair in two of my community tanks and a single male in another tank.

[@AquaticMoose]

Epic intro! 😂 Another great video, thank you!

[@squiglesmcgee304]

I'd love to see you give clownfish a try, prolly the easiest saltwater fish to breed but still a different type of challenge coming from freshwater.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I'm afraid. The salt will take me.

[@jeffchambers449]

Fundulopanchax gardneri have many locations and should not be crossed. Any idea what these are? I think I know but don't know what they were sold as.

[@MakeMoreFish]

They were collected from the waters of the wet spot in Oregon. Sold as P82.

[@netandjer7024]

great video and funny too!

[@melissaskinner4501]

I have a group in a large planted tank.I have fry surviving.First group they don’t touch.

[@Horlokx]

Finally it's been ages

[@rachel.c]

Watching because I think my females are getting eggs! When I look at my Steel Blue Killis’ faces, they look like they’re always smiling to me haha!

[@kylekarsten721]

Hahaha. Old guys stuff. My wife says that when im in the basement, picking eggs, with my magnifying goggles on.

[@MakeMoreFish]

I have a pair of magnifying goggles too. The transformation has begun.

[@lakedog3616]

They have always reminded me of a miniature snakehead fish .

[@MakeMoreFish]

I can see the resemblance.

[@MARKET_GARDNERI]

What fry powder did you use?

[@MakeMoreFish]

In this case it was New Life Spectrum

[@MARKET_GARDNERI]

@@MakeMoreFish would sera micron work? I have fertile eggs about to hatch

[@ttchiem]

what kind of substrate?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Sand in this case but I don't see them interact much with the substrate. I'm not sure how much it matters.

[@Dalmom721]

Do you have a place that you sell your fish that you breed?

[@MakeMoreFish]

Only locally

[@NYGOLD]

Outstanding job on this!!! Now I have to go find some Killies!!! LOL

[@MakeMoreFish]

I vote orange australe

[@RRfishNfrogs]

I had a similar feeling but it wasn't snakes. I just got the feeling from the look in their eyes and faces that these fish were psychotics

[@Stwinky]

When I look at those guys head on my monkey brain is also sused out 😂 it’s like I can image some weird violin noise when they whip around and stare at me

[@MakeMoreFish]

Ya, like the Alfred Hitchcock violin screech. I'm glad it's not just me.

[@adatewithnature8333]

Christmas miracle!

[@MakeMoreFish]

A gift from Killi-Claus. Santa-Killi?

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Drifter69]

Im gonna try this if i can find em

[@AJVD2123]

Similar to your uneasiness with killifish, African butterfly fish always freak me out they remind me of giant grasshoppers 🤣

[@keepingitvillarreal6621]

What you breeding next? 👀

[@fishmoding]

funnily enough I've had the same snake reaction with guppies, female guppies specifically

[@MakeMoreFish]

Little villains hiding in plain sight. Every one of them.

[@melissaskinner4501]

With these fish.High temperatures give males,with low females.

[@lemonlizard1]

I typically find most snakes cute, but the second I clicked on the video, something about their giant mouth just felt really uncomfortable to me

[@MakeMoreFish]

you just know that if they were big enough they would eat us.

[@byz513]

I click

[@MakeMoreFish]

Click received

[@Nikos_aquatics]

That pattern / color combo on the body’s tho. Keep up the great work man! Btw I dm you on Instagram with more videos/my thoughts in your boxes. My local club GCCA recently found your boxes, and they love them as well. I’ve had mine for almost a year and I can’t say nothing but great things!

[@MakeMoreFish]

Did that involve a gentleman named Joe? If you guys don't have files for the new model, it's gotten much better over time. I'm glad to hear they are working well.

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

Looking forward to you breeding LDA25