FishProfiles.com Message Forums

is $31AUD each excessive or is it just me?

I found 4 species (all in the same tank) at $31 each the other day. The first time i had seen them available in a pet shop for some years, but i baulked at the price.

Is this average?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Might not be the same really since I'm in a different country but I've gotten a trio for about $13(including shipping) and he later mailed me a whole box (about 15 fish in it) of a different killi species for free. :%)

Last edited by castlequest at 30-May-2005 10:56

It is both excessive AND normal. Other than panchax they usually range from $30 a pair to $30 each in shops if they ever stock them. Its a self fulfilling cycle. They are uncommon because they are expensive and expensive because they are uncommon.

I sell my killies to shops and privately (from melbourne) at ~$6 each. People also mail order off me and find it still much cheaper even paying postage.

Your best bet is to find a breeder (easier said than done). If you are interested send me a PM.

Dean

Last edited by abob at 31-May-2005 23:07

I have had a little chat to a guy called Serkan from my betta group, and he seems pretty good, but we never got around to talking prices.

I went back to the shop today... they are down to $42 a pair, with pictures on the front of the tank describing each sex of each species.

Still, $21 a fish? And they only live for what? 2 years or so?


I am rather interested, but I've not ever done it before.
Are they hard to raise and breed?
I'm a little concerned i'll fluff it up.

Do you think it is worth joining NAKA?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Yeah I know Serkan from a killifish forum I run. Seems a good bloke. I'm guessing the fish you saw were from the Aphyosemion/Fundulopanchax genus do yeah they live a couple of years. Any Killies you can get your hands on easily are easy to keep and breed. Basically put them in a small tank of neutral water at ~18-22dg with some plants, ornaments, spawning mops and wait. **Most** will atleast produce enough fry this way to keep them going. If you want more, pick the eggs and incubate in a small tub of water.

I'm sure you'll be fine with them. I got 4 fish to start with and I still have 3 of them (one jumped out) and I've sold >50 of their fry. If I could do it u can

$21 per fish. well you only need to raise a dozen fry and sell them back to the shop to pay for it. I've found a lot of shops suprisingly keen to buy killies.

Unfortunately NAKA is currently defunct.

BTW, what species did they have?

Dean


Last edited by abob at 01-Jun-2005 02:05

They had 3.
A gardeneri
A australe
and something or other else.

Looking at their other stock, and the boxes in the back yard, it was from Bay.

BAY'S STOCK LIST
3.5cm Aphyosemion australe “Gold”
4cm Aphyosemion amienti
4cm Aphyosemion gardneri “Nigeranium”
4cm Aphyosemion sjoestedti
4cm Aphyosemion walkeri
2.5cm Epiplatys annulatus
4cm Gold panchax

There were some panchaxy looking things, but I think they were just really odd rainbowfish.



For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I'd do a look around to see if there are Killifish hobbyists near you, Calla. That sure seems expensive. You may can buy some eggs and hatch them yourself.

Callatya,

You are welcome to buy some A gardneri "Akure" off me for $6each + $10 postage or wait a month or two and buy some Blue Gularis (Aphyosemion sjoestedti) off me for about the same.

Dean

Last edited by abob at 02-Jun-2005 22:41

What's the link to your forum, Dean?

I think I might take you up on that Dean, I'd like to broaden my horizons a little this year

PM me the link also if that is ok

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Where is Melbourne are you Dean? I have been pondering killis for a while but dont like the lfs prices!

---

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Killi fish prices will always command an elevated price. The reasons are, they are short lived, and more difficult to breed than some other fish of the same size and colorful attractions. Guppies are about the same size and usually just as colorful. And, as most people in lfs, are buying for just a tank of two, and not planning on breeding, they will look for the cheaper fish of the most colorful. As guppies are like rabbits, they have reached the point of almost giving them away. And guppies are so domesticated, that they have a large number of varieties to pick from. Killis for the most part, have been kept pure strained by the breeders and hobbyist. So the variety is limited to those specific strains.

Now most killis are actually quite easily bred, if you have the right set up. In a community tank, it is unlikely you will ever see any fry. Where as guppies are live bearers, and born relatively large in comparison, they will be prolific in a community tank, and thus common non-hobbyist fish keepers will have a supply they will give away or sell/trade back to lfs. So, the main supply comes from the hobbyist/breeders, and most of them will keep the prices elevated, as we all like to make money on our ventures/hobby.

Calli, have you tried ordering eggs? They are cheaper, and you will usually get a large number to hatch. Not sure about them being shipped into Oz, but there are usually a ton listed on Aquabid. And, because they are shipped in a small container, usually just an envelope, the shipping is next to nothing in comparison. I would look for eggs if I was you, as you may end up with more fish than you wanted, and you then can sell some back to your lfs to help spread the good fortune around you community.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

My baby Killifish that was born and bred in a planted tank, natural style. Fundalopanchax Walkeri G2/74. Originally, I've named him "Baby."

Piscesgirl attached this image:

Australia has VERY strict import quarantine laws. Only a small range of fish are allowed in and only by registed imports. Importation of eggs is not allowed at all.

Unfortunately Aquabid is not an option for us.

Dean

PS: Lindy : I'm in Richmond.

Last edited by abob at 15-Jun-2005 01:04

well, not for killies anyway

Aquabid does have registered importers in Australia, one in Sydney and one in Brisbane.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett