Black Nasty Cichlids
- Thread starter benadryl ferrari
- Start date
The underlying substrate rock substrate in haiti is limestone (extinct coral reefs) , which tend to produce high pH and high calcium hardness in its natural waters.
I kept and bred haitensus for almost a decade.
They did very well in pH above 7.5, and a total hardness of at least 250 ppm in my tanks
.
But I found one of the most important parameters and factors in keeping them healthy, was water temp.
The fresh waters in Hispaniola are quite warm.
Collectiers report they find these Nandopsis in water temps in the high 80s, even low 90s.
Another important factor, was keeping nitrate low.
For me, that was no higher than 5ppm by doing frequent water changes.
I used large planted sumps as filtration
My tendency was to change at least 30% of the 300 gal system, every other day.
And because they are the only cichlid species on the island , its pretty obvious they don't belong in community tanks with other cichlids.
My best pair shared a 150 gal tank with no other fish, and made it look tiny.
Once they became a compatible pair, they spawned many times.
They were always great parents
My males hit at least 15" , females 1/3 smaller.
I kept and bred haitensus for almost a decade.
They did very well in pH above 7.5, and a total hardness of at least 250 ppm in my tanks
.
But I found one of the most important parameters and factors in keeping them healthy, was water temp.
The fresh waters in Hispaniola are quite warm.
Collectiers report they find these Nandopsis in water temps in the high 80s, even low 90s.
Another important factor, was keeping nitrate low.
For me, that was no higher than 5ppm by doing frequent water changes.
I used large planted sumps as filtration
My tendency was to change at least 30% of the 300 gal system, every other day.
And because they are the only cichlid species on the island , its pretty obvious they don't belong in community tanks with other cichlids.
My best pair shared a 150 gal tank with no other fish, and made it look tiny.
Once they became a compatible pair, they spawned many times.
They were always great parentsMy males hit at least 15" , females 1/3 smaller.
Male, female, or pair, these guys need a 6 foot tank, imo. A male or pair will need a 180, lone female could probably get away with a 125.
Agree with the above.
Not only space (as in territory) but for water quality issues. For my pair in a 150 gal tank with 50 gal sump, I found to keep water quality parameters at the proper levels, 30-40% water changes every other day were needed.