How to tell Retroculus Xinguensis from Lapidifer at 2"?

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Are you guys keeping them in heavy filtration/current the way they are found in the wild? I've seen a lot of people report losing them after a few months and I'm wondering if it's got something to do with the fact that they're not in fast-flowing, heavily oxygenated water.
 
ryansmith83 said:
Are you guys keeping them in heavy filtration/current the way they are found in the wild? I've seen a lot of people report losing them after a few months and I'm wondering if it's got something to do with the fact that they're not in fast-flowing, heavily oxygenated water.
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im keeping mine in heavy filtration, but GTs tank doesnt seem to have fast flowing water and his fish are in top notch shape so i think they need good oxygenated water but im not sure about the near rapid conditions they have in the wild but im sure the fish will like it more. it just not something they are going to die from. but thats just my 0.02 i could be wrong
 
ryansmith83 said:
Are you guys keeping them in heavy filtration/current the way they are found in the wild? I've seen a lot of people report losing them after a few months and I'm wondering if it's got something to do with the fact that they're not in fast-flowing, heavily oxygenated water.
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Ryan, mine are in a pretty good current considering my 2 fx5 power heads and and a separate power head in the tank. My tank also is extremely heavy with oxygen and I believe that is key for these guys. I recently got a copy of south american eartheaters and I read that retros do come from a fast moving section but some parts of the year, retros also stay in calm and still water with complete almost bare bottom, not even sand in the area. So it seems that they are adaptable to different environments.


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I think GT lost all but one of his, right? That's why I asked. A lot of people seem to report unexplained deaths with fish that looked and acted otherwise healthy.
 
Actually I did lose one due to randomness when I first got my 3 xinguensis. I don't know what happen but it seem like it hit itself against something and from there, it just started swimming awkwardly and shortly after it died. As to my tank filtration and oxygen level, its pretty aerated. I have two fx5 and two aqua clear 70 along with a Koralia powerhead that blow from one side to the next. I notice that the xinguensis strive and very active as they fight the current to pound on the piece of market shrimp I throw in.


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Yes that is 1 mystery of this fish still and it's about the mystery deaths that i read about and they happen for no reason sometimes and there is still no reason for it.. I started out with 7 lapidifer and 1 died in the summer for no reason (was one of the smaller ones around 2 inches) so I have 6 now.


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orinocensis1 said:
Ryan, mine are in a pretty good current considering my 2 fx5 power heads and and a separate power head in the tank. My tank also is extremely heavy with oxygen and I believe that is key for these guys. I recently got a copy of south american eartheaters and I read that retros do come from a fast moving section but some parts of the year, retros also stay in calm and still water with complete almost bare bottom, not even sand in the area. So it seems that they are adaptable to different environments.


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If you dont mind me asking how much was that eartheater book i was trying to buy one but the only ones i can find are like $200. Is this true?


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baseballman1321 said:
If you dont mind me asking how much was that eartheater book i was trying to buy one but the only ones i can find are like $200. Is this true?


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Yes they range from 200-400 and up.. They only printed them once and it was 13 years ago so they are extreamly rare. I got my copy for 200 it's the cheapest you will find really.


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