The beani have landed!

[Belly up]

Earlier today the N. beani I ordered arrived in good condition. They were dropped in a fifty for the time being, sharing the tank with some similar sized festae. The P. la Ceiba went into my 125. They share that with some dempsies, a Jaguar, carpintis and two GT`s.

All of the new arrivals came from Dan at CoA. I`ll post a pic later but tbh they are small and not much to look at yet.

 

[baldtaxguy]

Good luck. Tough fish to keep.

Sent from my MB855 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[robmcd]

Very tough fish to keep. I consider myself a pretty advanced and successful fishkeeper and I am 0 fer 3. Best of luck to you. Post some pics !!

 

[duanes]

I acquired 12 X 2" beani back in Feb, and put them in a 150 gal, at between 68'F and 72'F, with lots of rockwork hiding places. The dominant paired spawned and there was very little overt aggression. All seemed to respect the hierarchy. Big male is about 7" now.

I took a male a 2 females and put them in a 50 gal a few months later and within 24 hours, was left with only the male in that tank.
on a side note
Funny, I got my beani from a guy from Michigan.

 

[Belly up]

Thanks for the well wishes. I will do everything I can to keep them alive.

Duanes, Along with the lower temps what else do you credit for your success?

 

[skooby]

This cichlid prefers clear water with moderate to strong water flow. Usually found associated with rocks and other submerged structure, it actively searches for tasty edibles by day and rests in the large cracks and crevices by night. Generally, such habitats have a slightly alkaline pH with moderate hardness. However, aquarium specimens are able to withstand quite a large variation in chemistry as long as extremes are avoided. The temperature, while tropical by definition, may be on the cooler side of the tropical temperature spectrum with averages in the low to mid 70s.

found this here... http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/...le-american-cichlid-top-of-the-food-chain.htm

 

[duanes]

I believe the cooler temps are a major factor.

My water flow is fairly strong, maybe 900-1000gph, thru a venturi tube.

4 dominant females have divided the 150 into quarters, and the the dominant male passes thru the entire tank with impunity, the other males just try to keep out of his way, stay smallish, and seem to try and mimic females.
As you can see below the females, and sub dominant males will grab any tiny space and very seldom venture out.

I use densely choked planted sumps, where I've grown out fry, they can easily lose sight of each other.

 

[duanes]

May I add a few other minor details.
I feed a high spirulina pellet most of the time, interspersed with a goldfish pellet, and the occasional insect or worm.
Not that I fear protein, but because I believe most non piscavorine Central American cichlids graze on algae and detritus constantly, which seems to be the equivalent to fiber in the human diet, and acts to clean the gut.
Non of my beani have bloated since the temp, and diet routine.
My chem parameters are... pH approx 7.5-7.8, nitrates 2-5 ppm, total hardness @ 250, and alkalinity 90-100ppm.

 

[Belly up]

I finally got some pics taken.

Not the best but I`m no photographer either!