Hey folks, I figured I'd start a new thread since I now have a new problem. I've managed to get my killis to give me fertilized eggs that hatch, but I've yet to have a fry live longer than 2 weeks. :(

To refresh, my set up involves Aphyosemion-striatum killis. They are kept in a 10 gallon with spawning mop on the bare bottom (they seem to like this better than hanging). For the fry, I have a large floating bowl with lid that I float on top of the killis tank. This is to regulate the bowls temperature and keep it warm enough for the fry. In the bowl I have java moss. I do a daily 50% water change in the bowl with a turkey baster. I swirl around a stick of microworms daily. My fry seem to starve and die within a couple weeks. What can I do? I've tried infusoria, and obviously the microworms. Should I try egg yolk? Set up a new tank with a bubbler for the fry? I've never hatched my own brine shrimp, but I have frozen ones (which seem a little too big for the fry). My PH is at a steady 8.0, could this be doing them off? I'm at a loss...

Microworms should work fine. Are they good microworms, i.e., fairly new cultures and vigorous? I usually use my finger to harvest micros so I can see they're moving around. Microworm cultures can be a big pain to keep going and get funky pretty readily.

pH you mentioned doesn't sound too bad - esp. since you're getting viable eggs and fry. Put some java moss from an established tank in with the fry and some ramshorns snails, too. That'll supply enough infusoria. Where are you getting the water change water? Fresh dechlorinated water that matches the temp might be a better choice than tankwater from an established tank.

Hatching baby brine shrimp is pretty easy, there's tons on the net and this site about it. Don't overcomplicate it, which is usually what does most people in.

You mentioned keeping the bowl warm -- how warm? These fish do not need higher than 75 degrees and the warmer it is the faster you will get putrification from uneaten food. I have also found that a few pond snails in a fry container keeps the food from fouling the water. Water changes are essential but the water must be similar in type and free of chlorine. An ideal food, after microworms (2-3 days) is either newly hatched brine shrimp or Cyclop-eeze. My best method is a shoe box with some Java Moss and pond snails at room temperature (65 degrees this time of year) and feed once a day with newly hatched brine shrimp or, if no brine shrimp I use Cyclop-eeze. I change about 10% of the water daily (automatically, but I do manual on some).