Purchasing live fish online is growing more popular as a result of sites like Aliexpress providing a large selection of fish species. It’s a fun way to add unusual and exotic fish to your aquarium that you might not be able to find at your neighborhood pet store.
But ordering live fish from Aliexpress has its own set of drawbacks and things to think about. Before making a purchase, it’s critical to understand what you’re getting into, from the caliber of the fish to the dependability of the shipping.
This post will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing live fish from Aliexpress, as well as what to anticipate from the transaction and how to make sure your new aquatic companions arrive safely and in good health.
Fish Type | Description |
Guppies | Colorful, easy to care for, and ideal for beginners. |
Betta Fish | Vibrant colors, known for their long flowing fins. |
Neon Tetras | Small, bright fish that do well in groups. |
Goldfish | Classic aquarium fish, requires more space and care. |
Angelfish | Elegant fish with a distinct triangular shape. |
- Who are killifish
- What you need to consider when ordering fish caviar from Aliexpress
- Game set contents
- Fry food
- Incubation of eggs
- Fish care
- Video on the topic
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Who are killifish
Generally speaking, mail takes a while to process; after 30 days, the water will evaporate and the recipient will receive a dried fish. That is exactly how things would be with regular aquarium residents, but not with killifish, which are incredible creatures whose eggs are traded by aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.
The term "killifish," or simply "killifish" in English, refers to fish that are members of the superfamily of carp-toothed fish, which is a group of fish that lay eggs and are found almost everywhere in the world. Killifish are found in shallow drying ditches, puddles, and small lakes throughout America, Asia, Africa, and southern Europe.
"Puddle" or "source" is how the Danish word "kilde," which inspired the name Killifish, comes from.
The range of habitats and species is remarkable; some species thrive in the thermal springs of North America, others prefer brackish or salty seawater, and some fish even inhabit puddles that occasionally dry up.
Most African species don’t live longer than a year. This is because the African climate is clearly seasonal; during the rainy season, many small reservoirs emerge and the area of rivers and lakes grows. The situation drastically changes during a drought. While reservoirs in the tropical forest zone only shrink in size rather than completely dry up, in the dry savannah zone all shallow reservoirs, with the exception of a few major rivers, completely dry up, making it difficult for aquatic life to survive.
The fish’s challenge in leading such a lifestyle is to leave as many progeny as they can before the impending dry spell. This is made possible by the unique structure of the egg shell, which is incredibly robust and resistant to both the heavy tread of different animals and extended droughts.
Fish eggs stick to the leaves of aquatic plants when they come from reservoirs that are relatively stable. Such fish have a much shorter shelf life, and their clutch is more challenging to transport.
Sellers utilize this feature to ship fish eggs to various locations across the globe. It is frequently marketed as an engaging kids’ toy, and the kit comes with a number of devices that come with comprehensive instructions. Additionally, breeders are happy to trade and exchange eggs of various killifish species, including breeds bred through selection, on a number of social media forums and groups.
Not only is the way of life of the "kilki" remarkable, but so is their vivid coloring of untamed shapes, which can even deceive picky guppies. The males have the strongest coloration; their mating costume is like multicolored candy wrappers. Numerous species have lush fins, and because of their modest size (2–6 cm) and unassuming nature, they can live in even tiny aquariums without the need for specialized equipment.
Because of the lower prices and greater selection, ordering live fish from Aliexpress can be alluring, but there are a lot of risks involved, such as uncertain shipping conditions, possible fish damage, and difficulties acclimating the fish to your aquarium.
What you need to consider when ordering fish caviar from Aliexpress
- First of all, carefully study the seller"s account. There are often cases when buyers are sent caviar of poor quality or even a bag of peat without it. Read people"s reviews, because it is often from them that you can find out about the quality of the product, its packaging and completeness, as well as the duration of delivery.
By the way, killi caviar can be ordered not only from Aliexpress, but also from the eBay online store. Many aquarists note that its quality is better there. Another option is to find a seller in hobby communities or on forums. The main advantage is the opportunity to directly communicate with the breeder and learn all the nuances of incubation and raising fry. One of the disadvantages is the risk of being deceived by an unscrupulous seller. - Although the caviar of African fish tolerates drought well, it is not adapted to the cold at all, so it is worth buying it in the spring or summer. It is at this time that you can start visiting websites and considering various sales offers that are closed during the cold season.
- The caviar of different species has different shelf lives. The clutch of fish from completely drying up reservoirs can withstand periods of drought for several weeks or even months. The caviar of other species that come from non-drying reservoirs can be stored without water for up to 10 days. As a rule, play sets sell caviar of nothobranchius – unpretentious annual fish, whose clutch can withstand prolonged drought.
- It is better to prepare the water for incubation in advance; tap water of medium hardness that has been settled for about 3-7 days is suitable for these purposes.
- Aquarium fish – even the smallest and most unpretentious – are also living creatures. The fry will grow, and quite rapidly, so you need to prepare equipment and an aquarium for their residence and food of the appropriate fraction in advance.
Game set contents
The roe of viviparous toothed carp is marketed in online stores as a do-it-yourself toy for kids, so the set will probably also come with everything else you need, like:
- peat with eggs;
- incubation cup;
- brine shrimp eggs and a measuring cup or spoon;
- salt for brine shrimp incubation;
- instructions.
Various pebbles and glass balls for adorning the future aquarium may be included, depending on the set contents. It is up to the aquarist to decide whether or not to put them in the aquarium, but keep in mind that artificially colored stones can negatively affect the water by releasing different substances and dyes that are harmful to young fish.
Fry food
You must first tend to the live food source for the fish of the future. Typically, microfeeds are utilized.
- "live dust";
- Microcks;
- grated yolk;
- Naupliy Cyclops and Artemia.
Microorganisms known as "Living Dust" are cultivated; it is best to start these cultures one week prior to fry breeding. This is accomplished by using a cult of ciliates that can be kept in the aquarium, a few drops of milk, and a dried banana peel or other dried fruit. This approach is usually better suited for seasoned breeders who raise a lot of fish.
Nucleus by Artemia is a little bit simpler because it incubates much more quickly and easily. Since it usually happens during the day, you will need sea salt, aremia cysts, and a set of gaming sets in addition to a three-liter bank and an aerator to obtain it.
An aerator with a spray at the end is lowered into a three-liter jar along with three tablespoons of sea salt and one teaspoon of Artemia eggs. Place the jar in a well-lit area with warm (23–25 °C) water in it.
The cyst shell needs to be collected after the incubation period, which lasts roughly one day. Turn off the aeration and leave the jar alone to accomplish this. The orange-brown shell, which needs to be collected using a net, will stay on top while the nauplii themselves sink to the bottom. After that, restart the aerator because brine shrimp quickly perish in the absence of oxygen.
Using a pipette or small-mesh net is the better method for capturing the nauplii for the fry. The best way to accomplish this is with a flashlight beam in the dark, which the crustaceans actively swim in. Give the brine shrimp dry food containing spirulina or yeast.
Because brine shrimp grow quickly and get too big to fry, it is best to prepare them in small portions.
Incubation of eggs
It’s time to incubate the eggs after making all the necessary arrangements. It is advised to carefully check the container to make sure the eggs are present and at the proper stage of maturity before adding peat.
The dark brown color of the fertilized eggs of toothed carps is complemented by the glimpse of tiny dark eyes through the translucent shell of the larvae.
Following examination, the peat containing the eggs is put in an incubation container and filled with 5–6 cm of cold, medium-hard water (15–18 °C).
After five to six hours, the fry start to hatch. They have no yolk sac and are born fully formed. To fill their swim bladder, they must first float to the surface for their first breath of air. Since they are unable to travel great distances, the water layer shouldn’t be overly thick.
In the event that the eggs in the peat did not hatch, the water must be carefully drained and the peat must be gently squeezed out until it is slightly damp. It can then be packed and stored in a warm place for a week or two to allow the eggs to fully mature. Only when the larvae’s eyes are visible through the shell are the eggs ready to begin the incubation process.
Once all of the fry have hatched, they either need to be moved into a different container or the peat in the incubation aquarium needs to be removed because food organisms frequently hide there and are out of reach for the fish.
Fish grow slowly at first, but after 10–14 days, they start to actively put on weight, and by 1.5–2 months, they are sexually mature. They need to be sorted during the whole cultivation process so that their stocking density is low. The killifish must be divided into a harem of females and 1-2 dominant males after they reach sexual maturity.
The mature eggs display the silvery iris of the larvae’s eye.
Fish care
Carp-toothed fish, which lay eggs, are incredibly resilient and make ideal introduction fish. Although they are naturally found in soft water, they have adapted to tap water over many generations.
Fish don’t require complicated care; they can survive in tiny containers (10–30 l), at room temperature (22–25 °C), and without expensive equipment. An internal filter or a weak airlift can be used. While it is not required, having a heater is preferable because it is essential to maintaining a constant temperature during the off-season.
In the wild, killifish consume a wide variety of insects and their larvae. In an aquarium, they will readily accept small bloodworms, tubifex, and frozen or live brine shrimp as long as the food is appropriate for the fish’s size. Dry food is another option, though some breeders have observed that killifish do not tolerate it well.
You can use small-leaved floating plants and soft, dark soil to decorate the aquarium. Because the fish are skilled jumpers and spend a lot of time near the water’s surface searching for food, the aquarium needs to have a lid.
Although they don’t have a particular preference for water quality, it has been observed that they like "old" acidic water. Because the low temperatures (22–23 °C) slow down the metabolism of annual fish, you can extend their life.
Killifish start to age after six months of life: their spine curves and they become less nimble. They have succeeded in leaving a sizable number of children behind by this point, and their life is finally coming to an end.
In contrast to men, women appear unremarkable.
Although ordering live fish from Aliexpress can be an interesting and possibly rewarding experience, there are some drawbacks. There can be big differences in the fish quality, shipping circumstances, and seller credibility. This means that before making a purchase, it’s critical to conduct in-depth research on both the seller and the particular fish you’re interested in.
The danger of long-distance shipping should always be kept in mind, particularly when dealing with live animals. Take into account the weather, how the fish are handled while being transported, and any delays that might affect their health. Purchasing from a reputable seller with positive feedback and a track record of successfully delivering live fish is frequently worth the small extra money.
If you place an order, be ready to allow the fish enough time to adjust when they get there. They need to go through this process in order to better adapt to their new surroundings and improve their chances of surviving. In addition, prepare a quarantine tank so that you can watch the fish there for a sign of disease or stress before bringing them into the main aquarium.
All things considered, buying live fish from Aliexpress can be convenient and occasionally affordable, but it also needs some thought and caution. If you are prepared and knowledgeable, it can be a