Sentral said:
Hi guys,
I've just come across a post on PFK about a relatively new 'science toy' aimed at the younger generation.
It's marketed under the same category as so called 'instant pets' such as Sea Monkeys and Triop sets.
I was quite shocked that these kits are being sold in this way,
with little to no information on the actual species (Nothobranchius korthausae) and how to care for them, and the author (and PFK) make no mention of this!
i like the concept, but without proper instructions and guidance these toys aren't promoting responsible fishkeeping.
Original article:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/c ... p?sid=3504
Actual kit:
http://www.prezzybox.com/magic-fish.aspx
What's everyones views on this?
Did you read the Prezzybox page on this item at all ? You said there was "little to no information" as highlighted above, and yet the page states the following so I am wondering what other information you feel is necessary ? It seems to me they have provided a hell of a lot more information than you get when you buy a fish at your average LFS. Killifish pretty much all have the same requirements so its not important for the info to specifically mention the Nothobranchius korthausae is it ?
Frequently Asked Questions:
How big do my Magic Fish get? Magic Fish range in size from 2-2.5 inches
How many Magic Fish will hatch out? You normally get 6 to 8 Magic Fish but don't be surprised if you get as many as 20.
After I hatch out my first batch of Magic Fish is the teabag done? No, if you put it back in Ziploc bag you can try to hatch out more in about 2 weeks.
What do I feed my Magic Fish? The first food should be the baby brine shrimp (Sea Monkey) which you hatch from the food box. When your Magic Fish get larger (about 1/2 inch) you can start feeding them more variety. Tropical fish flake foods or frozen fish foods like brine shrimp, glass worms and bloodworm.
Where are my Magic Fish originally from? Magic fish are a family of fish know as Killifish. They are found in several countries. The Magic Fish you have are found on the continent of Africa. In nature they are found in freshwater temporary pools, brooks and swamps.
How long do my Magic Fish live? Magic Fish are considered annuals but if the are well taken care of they can live 2 years or more.
Can my Magic Fish be kept in a fish tank with other fish? Yes, when your Magic Fish is large enough they can be kept with other tropical freshwater fish. Check with your local fish store for compatibility.
How big of a bowl or tank do I need for my Magic Fish? Depending on how many Magic Fish you are keeping together and how often you want to change some water, you can go as small as a 1 gallon bowl up to a regular fish tank with filter. In a bowl with no filtration you should change a quarter of the water each day so that you don't get a build up of waste.
I'm having trouble with my brine shrimp (sea monkeys) hatching is there anything I can do to get more to hatch? Try changing the temperature. Shine a light on them for 12 hours a day. Change salinity (add more salt or less). Don't try to hatch too many eggs. With brine shrimp (sea monkeys) little is better than more. If you like to make a brine shrimp hatchery, go to education section.
Can I breed my Magic Fish? Yes, you should be able to breed your Magic Fish if you take some time and have patience. Look on our Educational page for information on how it is done.
What happens if the weather is cold? This means your eggs will be in a dormant state, keep the tea bag in the airing cupboard for 2-3 weeks before using them to wake them up.
How big are the fish when they hatch? They are really tiny so you need to wait a few days until you will be able to see them swimming.