My 8 beani did extremely well in my pond over the summer. They pretty much doubled their size in 4 months and fed actively. When I brought them in, the males were 7-8", the females about 5-6". I decided to spread them around into several tanks (a mistake ... ended up losing two). One pair looked like they were setting up to spawn, but then, became very reclusive and refused to eat. I presently have them in their own tanks, at about 72-74 F. They look good (a little pale but no sign of bloat ... yet). I've added some magnesium sulfate to their water and have just started a metronidazole treatment. Keeping my fingers crossed that they start eating again. This is my second round with them (the first, a couple of years ago).They were great up to around 3-4". Then I made the mistake of putting them in a large tank with other cichlids. They all bloated and died over the course of a few weeks. I believe (and as others have stated) that it was mainly from stress. I now keep the temperature low, feed sparingly with low protein/high spirulina food, and don't crowd them. I thought I had these latest ones "over the hump" regarding these sorts of problems but apparently not entirely. They are a challenge.
