distichodus

[esoxlucius]

Has anyone got any of these fish. I saw the long nosed variety in my LFS today. I believe there is a shorter nosed variety as well. All i know is that they get to about 12" typically in an aquarium, sometimes bigger. Water quality and feeding seem easy enough from what i've read, but i've also read they can be extremely temperamental, not good with other fish. That would be the deal breaker for me as it will be going with balas, clowns, tinfoils and roselines.

 

[Fat Homer]

Never kept them myself but the LFS i used to know real well always told me they were really mean SOB's...

 

[Mr.Manaconda]

I have a D. sexfasciatus that is pushing 8-9". Had it about a year. Grown about 6" in that time. It does get a bit nippy at feeding time, but not what I would call "aggressive". It's in a tank with Redhooks, Flagtail, Pink Chalceus. I will say that it did not like my old Tinfoil Barbs very much. But the TFB's did like to try to go in his favorite resting area more than the rest of the fish.

 

[esoxlucius]

The two long nosed specimens in my LFS are about 7" and 13". Maybe if i get them to order me a 3" or 4" one it might integrate with my current stock better than just sticking a big one in. Beautiful fish though, i've hever seen one before, at first glance i thought they were huge clowns, similar colouration. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mr.Manaconda]

If you're near Atlanta, I'd sell you mine. I'm really much more of a Central/S.American Cichlid & Characin keeper. I grabbed my Disto from a local fish club auction, just because of how rarely I've seen them in the Atlanta area.

 

[esoxlucius]

If you're near Atlanta, I'd sell you mine. I'm really much more of a Central/S.American Cichlid & Characin keeper. I grabbed my Disto from a local fish club auction, just because of how rarely I've seen them in the Atlanta area.

Thanks for the offer but i'm in the uk!!

 

[Mr.Manaconda]

Lol....that would certainly make picking it up a bit difficult! ...Hey, my church pastor is from Wales (just figured I'd share that...Lol) Well, cheers! & good luck, hope you get one.

 

[jwh]

I've had one (sexfaciatus), they are pretty tempremental, mine particularly hated my clown loaches. Interesting fish for a large tank with robust tank mates.

 

[esoxlucius]

I've had one (sexfaciatus), they are pretty tempremental, mine particularly hated my clown loaches. Interesting fish for a large tank with robust tank mates.

Sexfaciatus is the one i fancy. If i got one at 4" max and put it with my other fish which are all over 4" do you think that would help keep him from bullying perhaps? But saying that i've read they grow like crazy so it wouldn't be 4" for long.

 

[jwh]

Difficult to say, some fish are pleasant, others are psycho's, and will take on anything. IME and from what I've read and the comments you see, you must be prepared and expect aggression. In the 750l grow out it became territorial, and was particularly aggressive to the clown loaches for whatever reason, perhaps similar colour and pattern. Once I transferred it (at around 6") to my 2000l it had to deal with tank mates far bigger than itself, and with the added space it did better in that environment.
Mine grew at between half and one inch per month, and was around 10" after a year, got him at little over an inch. It's growth slowed down after that.