Nandopsis haitiensis bloat prevention program

[John Rambo]

If you read some old collection data " Oh Island in the Sun. Dominican Republic." by Alf Stalsberg 1994. or "Some Observations on the Natural History of the Odo in Haiti" by Dr Paul Loiselle". The collection temps range mid 80s to 90. The lowest 78'F.
My adults seem to tolerate much lower temps than the young.
I have also found that when I raised a youngster in a planted sump, with only much smaller non aggressive tankmates (livebearers) this hait grew fine and did not bloat, until I put it in a community cichlid tank, within 24-48 hours it bloated and died.
I attribute this to the stress of the equal pecking order, and take no crapp tank mates. Because it was the tank that fed the sump it grew up in , meaning same water perameters, including temps. I use protein skimmers, so the water is overly oxygenated.
I feed my adult pair and a youngster koi pellets and peas.
My adult male is @ 14" and the female 11-12".
But I claim no magic answera each time I think I have a handle on the bloat issue, bloat again rears it's ugly head and I loose 50 fry.

Thanks Duanes, I knew I wasnt the only one who heard of this warmer temp business .

 

[duanes]

Although I've not been to the Dominican Republic, I spent some time in St Maartin, and checked albeit unscientifically with my finger water temps of any fresh water I passed. It was extremely hot, very different than water in the Yucatan or Costa Rica (other places I've visited).
There is also an article called "Meet the the Joturo Again" in a old TFH mag, another Nandopsis of Cuba, where collecting data stated high temps.
Below is Nandopsis tetracanthus

This may be an island phenomenon that is worth following with any Nandopsis.

I have found some Madagascans I've worked with are similar in that fry easly succomb if temps aren't at least mid 80s.

 

[John Rambo]

that last pic is great. Black and nasty

 

[NorCaliCichlids]

I did at least a 25% water change 3 times a week till they were a good 3".
When I 'think' the water is clean I did another water change. Nothing but spirulina flake to that point as well. I had 9 of 12 get to at least 8" this way whereas I had lost dozens before. Dont take 'em on unless you can commit. I have 6 juvies right now.

 

[John Rambo]

I did at least a 25% water change 3 times a week till they were a good 3".
When I 'think' the water is clean I did another water change. Nothing but spirulina flake to that point as well. I had 9 of 12 get to at least 8" this way whereas I had lost dozens before. Dont take 'em on unless you can commit. I have 6 juvies right now.

I dont know if Ill have the time for 3x per week but it will be clean and I am keeping only one haitian in a 75 gallon tank. I had to sell a little armatus to do so.

 

[darthodo]

I'm with Duane S. Metronidazole kills Hexamita, which is a protozoan parasite and very different from bacteria. Avoid feeding just before lights out and keep some Epsom salts handy as a laxative when you first notice bloat. A lot of water changes and good circulation is important IMO. I liked the 86F and used it on my hait till he got some size on him. The fewer fish in the tank the better with a male hait, I'm not sure about a female. Dithers are okay, just nothing that might pose a threat AT ALL.

 

[John Rambo]

I'm with Duane S. Metronidazole kills Hexamita, which is a protozoan parasite and very different from bacteria. Avoid feeding just before lights out and keep some Epsom salts handy as a laxative when you first notice bloat. A lot of water changes and good circulation is important IMO. I liked the 86F and used it on my hait till he got some size on him. The fewer fish in the tank the better with a male hait, I'm not sure about a female. Dithers are okay, just nothing that might pose a threat AT ALL.

I think the warmer temps are back on my project objectives

 

[John Rambo]

So I got my female, and she doesnt show signs of bloat but her tank mate does. I think this is early enough to save her. So I stopped feeding her, heated the tank up, and added meds. fingers crossed.
will update in a week

 

[BigPic]

OH MAN! that sucks a lot, good luck bringing her around! It's just my opinion, but, I think that food is important for fish to fight off problems, I never stop feeding when medicating, have to keep their energy levels up to fight!

 

[John Rambo]

So just an update. Duanes sent me a surviving female and she has been doing fine. Unfortunatley she is being kept in a well planted 5 gallon bucket with filtration rated for 20 gallon tanks, water temp 82-84. She is doing well but I cant really see her. Keep the fish alive and never see it vs enjoy the fish and kill it.