Nandopsis Haitiensis

[Siosalach]

So, finally got round to housing a couple of Black Nastys. Always wanted to keep these fish. Super excited to watch them grow, hoping any chance of bloat has passed by.
They're in a 500L tank at 29c, 125L water changes twice weekly with aquarium salts added regularly.
Got them at barely 1 inch (although advertised as 5cm) in November. One has grown to 3.5 inches and is beefing up, whilst the other is 3 inches and of slighter build. From day 1 they've been fed algae discs and bug bite granules.
Not sure about sexing, as the larger one changes colour regularly. Dark when territorial, light when I am near the tank or when feeding.

 

[FINWIN]

It's amazing how they kind of resemble black and white jags!

 

[Siosalach]

It's amazing how they kind of resemble black and white jags!

I love Jags. Sweet fish.
The larger Hait is meaner than any Jag I've kept. At 2 inches he/she began shepherding my 8 inch Pleco around the tank.

 

[duanes]

Its hard to gender at times, when they are young, and
if it just so happens that you have 2 females, they may not exhibit obvious gender traits.
A female with a male in the tank often displays very obvious differences, even when young.

In the shot above, the female is about 6", the male about 10".
But if there is not a male in the tank, she changes color quite dramatically, below

Again below, with a male in the tank

Another factor can be the color of the substrate, if very light, they will often fade.
Below is a male housed in a tank on light (white substrate)

Below the same male with natural sand color substrate

 

[Siosalach]

Thanks Duanes, some quality info there. Appreciated.
Will be interesting to see how they both develop. What I love about Haits is that males and females are equally stunning.

 

[FINWIN]

Sisters maybe?

 

[Siosalach]

Could well be.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Good looking fish. Of all the cichlids im dying to keep haitians are near the top. They have a unique look.

 

[Siosalach]

Good looking fish. Of all the cichlids im dying to keep haitians are near the top. They have a unique look.

Thank you.
Their unique look is what's always fascinated me.

 

[Siosalach]

5 inches now and nicely boisterous.