Retroculus tips?

[FluffySackson]

I just got 2 xinguensis (one of them was killed by my satanoperca mapiritensis) and am looking for tips on success. My last one is in a 30 gallon biotype until he (or she) is large enough. I'm making sure my nitrates are under 40 with these guys. I will not be surprised if it ends up dead, however.

 

[ryansmith83]

I'd keep the nitrates lower than 40. Try under 20, but preferably no more than 10. Most wild-caught SA fish will not do well long-term at 40ppm. Retroculus are from fast-flowing white waters and so the water is most likely very low in dissolved organic wastes, and heavily oxygenated. From cichlidae.com (in part):

In the aquarium, Retroculus are best kept like geophagines, with two exceptions. First, as all three species are found in flowing rivers, water movement is likely preferred and easily provided by an oversized filtration system or with supplementary pumps. While they also sift the soft, or fine-grained, substratum for food, the addition of small rounded pebbles are required for successful reproduction.

As with some of the more delicate species of geophagines, Biotodoma or Satanoperca, for example, Retroculus require frequent feedings of small food items. Apparently, they have trouble swallowing larger food items despite their realtively large adult size (30-45 cm T.L.).

As for water chemistry parameters, a neutral pH and moderate hardness is ideal. However, values outside these may be tolerated. What is not tolerated is the inattention to water quality. These fishes are sensitive to the build-up of waste products as would be expected given their natural habitats. A strong filtration system combined with 75% water changes every 7-14 days is recommended.

 

[FluffySackson]

I'd keep the nitrates lower than 40. Try under 20, but preferably no more than 10. Most wild-caught SA fish will not do well long-term at 40ppm. Retroculus are from fast-flowing white waters and so the water is most likely very low in dissolved organic wastes, and heavily oxygenated. From cichlidae.com (in part):

Thanks Ryan!

 

[duanes]

I agree with Ryan, these are rheophillic fish that live in fast flowing water with nitrates in the 0 ppm range.
I would run a long tank, with flow starting at one end using venturis, pushing a heavy flow the direction of the length of tank, to over flows on the opposite end.
I keep a number of rheophillic species and always drill their tanks so flow works this way, I provide rock work that provides occasional breaks from the current if they need it.
below venturi tubes and an example of the flow they create


you can get a sense of flow by the way the plants bend

 

[FluffySackson]

I have a 1500 GPH powerhead and an eheim 2217 on a 30 gal. Water splashes all the over the damn place but the retro is doing great. Already eating dry foods which I didn't expect so soon. Like I said, if he dies within the next few weeks to a year, I won't be very surprised. My other one was killed by my mapiritensis, which I did not expect as that fish often got bullied when I kept him with my brasiliensis and temporalis.