Nandopsis haitiensis New Space

[nolapete]

Four Nandopsis haitiensis, Black Nasty, have been residing in individual 10 gallon aquariums since I obtained them over a year ago. Their nasty reputation is not without action to back it up. Even at a small size, they will play Highlander (there can be only one) and kill each other until only one remains. At their current size of about four inches, they needed to be moved to larger quarters.

A 75 gallon tank had been without inhabitants since I tore down the planted setup that it contained. I built three of my egg-crate and pvc tank dividers for the tank then installed them, two 100 watt heaters, and an Aquaclear 110 filter. Egg crate provides protection from jumping for them and a 4' shop light with two bulbs illuminates the tank.

The egg-crate dividers keeps them from killing each other. Soon after setup, one of them found a way under the divider into another's space. It appears that it was a male and female together. They spent two hours locking jaws with each other before I separated them. I piled up the gravel next to the bottom of the divider to deter them from getting under. Another one found a way to the other's space, but they didn't fight before I found them.

The extra space of the 75 should give them the space to grow out into nice breeders. I'm hoping to have spawns to grow out in the Spring.

 

[Camphilophus]

I got 5 at a auction, gave 4 away and kept my favorite. Mine is currently about 1.5" and the 2" archocentrus centrachus are picking on him. I've been waiting for him to snap but all is good so far. Not aggressive at all.

 

[balton777]

They're only 4" now after a year? Wow Black Nasty's grow slower than Grammodes.

 

[Camphilophus]

They're only 4" now after a year? Wow Black Nasty's grow slower than Grammodes.

I thought they were fast growers when I got them so I got rid of 4, the one I kept has only put on 1/2" in 2 months but he's only in a 10gallon and it's only 72*.

 

[duanes]

They will pair up and breed at that size, so if you notice the female darken up, she may be coming into season.

My female put on about 4" in a year with mid 80sF temps, and lots of veggie based foods.

Had her since the 2006 ACA convention, she's now a little over 10" total length. These are her non-fry/non-breeding colors.

 

[nolapete]

One of the 4 is definitely a male. One I'm sure is a female. The other 2 are dark, so maybe both females.

They were about 3/4" when I got them, so I don't think they are too far off in size for a year. I haven't tried to bulk them up yet, but that's my intent since they are in bigger quarters now.

Once I get a pair, they will be the only inhabitants in the 75. I'll probably keep them divided and let them spawn through the eggcrate. That's worked for me in the past.

Wish I had thought about that with my smaller pair of festae. The male bulked up to double the female's size then killed her.

 

[nolapete]

Seems that male is determined to be with that female. He dug his way under the divider and was in her side displaying to her this morning. Would be nice to have them paired up. Evidently, my patience with keeping them in separate tanks has paid off. Fingers crossed that I don't go home and find that one has killed the other.