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**TheOldSalt** · 02-27-2005, 12:02 PM

It's very likely that the baitfish you mention are killies, since ther are numerous brackishwater species of Killies in the USA.

Killies are a very large group of fresh and brackish water fish which occur on at least four continents. The USA has quite a number of them, but most of ours are fairly drably colored. The real showstoppers come from the jungles of western Africa, and when you see one, you will be astounded by the incredible colors and patterns.

Killies have a few different spawning styles, but they are best known for laying eggs which dry out and hatch several months later when the rains come. These killies get their their name from a dutch word, Kill, which simply means "puddle." These puddles dry up, but the eggs survive. When the rainy season fills the puddles with water again, the eggs hatch. These fish are known as annual killies, and they don't live very long, as you might imagine.

Petshops don't generally carry killifish, because they are not mass-produced on fishfarms. the killie hobby is dominated by dedicated killie keepers who raise fish and trade the eggs with each other through the mail. The AKA, or American Killifish Association, is the primary contact organization for killie keepers and those wishing to learn about them or get eggs. You can also usually find lots of eggs available on Aquabid.

Punch up the words
NOTHOBRANCHIUS or APHYOSEMION in your search engine and see what they get you. You'll be amazed.

Killies aren't really all that expensive when you buy them from other killie keepers, but they tend tocost a bundle when you can find them in a petshop. There is one Killie, the "Golden Wonder," which is found in petshops fairly commonly, and it's pretty cheap.
The Dr's Foster and Smith catalog is about to start carrying killies as well, but the prices they want are ridiculously high, so they'll never sell. You can get the same species for 1/4 the price from some killie breeder.

Killies are tough as nails, and while they have certain requirements, those requirements are pretty easy to meet. Once met, the fish are very enjoyable, and a true HOBBY fish.

02-27-2005, 12:02 PM	#2
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,010 User Feedback: (5)	Re: what are killifish It's very likely that the baitfish you mention are killies, since ther are numerous brackishwater species of Killies in the USA. Killies are a very large group of fresh and brackish water fish which occur on at least four continents. The USA has quite a number of them, but most of ours are fairly drably colored. The real showstoppers come from the jungles of western Africa, and when you see one, you will be astounded by the incredible colors and patterns. Killies have a few different spawning styles, but they are best known for laying eggs which dry out and hatch several months later when the rains come. These killies get their their name from a dutch word, Kill, which simply means "puddle." These puddles dry up, but the eggs survive. When the rainy season fills the puddles with water again, the eggs hatch. These fish are known as annual killies, and they don't live very long, as you might imagine. Petshops don't generally carry killifish, because they are not mass-produced on fishfarms. the killie hobby is dominated by dedicated killie keepers who raise fish and trade the eggs with each other through the mail. The AKA, or American Killifish Association, is the primary contact organization for killie keepers and those wishing to learn about them or get eggs. You can also usually find lots of eggs available on Aquabid. Punch up the words NOTHOBRANCHIUS or APHYOSEMION in your search engine and see what they get you. You'll be amazed. Killies aren't really all that expensive when you buy them from other killie keepers, but they tend tocost a bundle when you can find them in a petshop. There is one Killie, the "Golden Wonder," which is found in petshops fairly commonly, and it's pretty cheap. The Dr's Foster and Smith catalog is about to start carrying killies as well, but the prices they want are ridiculously high, so they'll never sell. You can get the same species for 1/4 the price from some killie breeder. Killies are tough as nails, and while they have certain requirements, those requirements are pretty easy to meet. Once met, the fish are very enjoyable, and a true HOBBY fish.