How to Hatch Killifish Eggs

Storing Eggs Before Hatching

When you receive it, finding ways to keep it at a steady temperature, such as in a foam box.

Checking the Eggs

You will see the expected hatch date behind the box. It is not precise, and the eggs may not be ready to hatch all at once. When the expected hatch date comes, open the cup and pour all peat moss into the hatching tray. Do not leave the eggs outside the cup for more than 10 minutes when checking them.

Use a small spoon to rummage peat moss to find the eggs. 

During the larval stage, the young Killifish rely on their yolk sac for nutrition. This sac provides them with the necessary energy to grow and develop.

Observe the eyes in the eggs. You can use a magnifying glass that easier to observe it. The eyes that appeared in the eggs indicate that the eggs fully developed. It would mean hatching time. Each egg takes a different time to incubate, so the hatch date is different too. However, you can hatch the eggs many times.

If you find the eye in about 10 eggs, fill the water into the hatching tray for hatching the eggs as ready to hatching. The eggs as ready to hatching will hatch within 3 hours but some fish eggs take up to 2 days to hatch.

If you do not see an eye in the eggs, keep them in the cup to continue incubating. Do not separate them from the peat moss. It is the most suitable medium for incubating killifish eggs. The eggs need a little moisture to survive, otherwise they will die.

If you feel the peat moss is dry, sprinkle a little water as the peat moss loses moisture while you check the eggs. Close the lid properly to prevent moisture evaporation and the egg drying out.

Caring for Newly Hatched Killifish Fry

The newly hatched fry can not swim very well and just lying on top of the peat moss for a few hours.

These larvae are incredibly small, often measuring only a few millimeters in length. They have a transparent body, enabling them to blend in with their surroundings and avoid detection by predators.

After a few hours, transfer them very gently to the raising tray by dropper.

Hatching Killifish Eggs Again

Some of eggs not ready to hatching in hatching tray. Two days after wetting peat moss, dry the eggs by pouring them into an aquarium fishnet and wait until all the water dripped out. You can use the paper to absorb the water under the aquarium fishnet. Then move the peat moss to the cup for incubation and start the hatching process again in 1-3 weeks.

When you finish this article, I suggest reading How to Raise Killifish.