Hello, I decided I want my next project to be a breeding pair of haitiensis cichlid aka black nasty, I ordered 8 online from a reputable source, there about 1.5 inches and I know there super fragile at that size because, my plan is to raise them all together until a natural pair forms and then get rid of the rest, I plan on giving the pair a 180 gallon to themselves, as for when there juveniles I set up a 50 gallon with alot of hiding spots to use as a growout tank, the temp.in the tank is 86 so it think it should be good, also bought them some cichlid spirilina pellets to help with digestion and possible bloat, hoping this all goes well and I get a breeding pair , I'll receive the fish tonight and I'll post a pic then
Waiting for my order of haitiensis juvys
- Thread starter anzo1993
- Start date
The hait juvies need rather warm water, mid 80s to stay healthy.
I have found raising them together often ends with only 1 individual left.
My advice would be to put each juvie in a separate compartment with some sort of cave to hide in (flower pot) so they can't intimidate each other to death. At first I tried growing them up together in a 150 gal, and yet they still ended up killing each other
It took me about 20 dead juvies to end up with a compatible pair, until I figured out the techniques to keep them healthy.
Below, the pair I ended up with.
I have found raising them together often ends with only 1 individual left.
My advice would be to put each juvie in a separate compartment with some sort of cave to hide in (flower pot) so they can't intimidate each other to death. At first I tried growing them up together in a 150 gal, and yet they still ended up killing each other
It took me about 20 dead juvies to end up with a compatible pair, until I figured out the techniques to keep them healthy.
Below, the pair I ended up with.
I'm raising about 100 fry now. I started with three 1 inch fish and two of them paired off at 2.5 inches and spawned. I was very surprised at how quickly it happened. About two weeks after the fry hatched the male ended up doing so much damage to the female overnight that I couldn't even save her in a hospital tank. They are very hard on each other compared to all my other cichlids. I would advise using dividers and putting the egg laying surface next to the divider so the male can still fertilize them through it. I have another female but I will not be cohabitating them anymore.
The hait juvies need rather warm water, mid 80s to stay healthy.
I have found raising them together often ends with only 1 individual left.
My advice would be to put each juvie in a separate compartment with some sort of cave to hide in (flower pot) so they can't intimidate each other to death. At first I tried growing them up together in a 150 gal, and yet they still ended up killing each other
It took me about 20 dead juvies to end up with a compatible pair, until I figured out the techniques to keep them healthy.
Below, the pair I ended up with.
I've got plenty of hiding spots in the tank, by compartements do you mean make several dividers for the tank?The hait juvies need rather warm water, mid 80s to stay healthy.
I have found raising them together often ends with only 1 individual left.
My advice would be to put each juvie in a separate compartment with some sort of cave to hide in (flower pot) so they can't intimidate each other to death. At first I tried growing them up together in a 150 gal, and yet they still ended up killing each other
It took me about 20 dead juvies to end up with a compatible pair, until I figured out the techniques to keep them healthy.
Below, the pair I ended up with.
Yes....I would divide the tank(s) into separate compartments so they can't get to each other.
There is an excellent article in TFH mag from back in the 80s (I believe it was by Ferdinand Velasco, but that was a long time ago) about this separation method, its so far back the article refers to them as Cichlasoma haitiensus, but semantics aside, I found it relevant, especially after losing a whole bunch to end up with 2.
Thanks the the advice I'm gonna start working on separators, for now all I have is egg crate to use as dividers but I'm afraid the babies are small enough to go right through
I used egg crate when they were large enough, and when large enough to sex, I would put my main female in a compartment between 2 males.
It was obvious which male she chose over the other. And they were ready to spawn at a surprisingly small size, maybe @ 3".
My pair coexisted together about 5 years in a 150 gal (with no other fish of course) and had a number of spawns.
But it came to a point after a while I had a hard time giving juvies away.
It was obvious which male she chose over the other. And they were ready to spawn at a surprisingly small size, maybe @ 3".
My pair coexisted together about 5 years in a 150 gal (with no other fish of course) and had a number of spawns.
But it came to a point after a while I had a hard time giving juvies away.
I just got the juvies in, there pretty small about an inch and they seem pretty healthy so fa but I guess we'll see
In my opinion you will need hiding places as they mature. The more the better.
Must say a 3 or 4 inch pot isn't a hiding place for juveniles.
I like to provide loads and loads of small hiding places. The more the better.
That's just how I like to pair of cichlids. Others may have different opinions.
Must say a 3 or 4 inch pot isn't a hiding place for juveniles.
I like to provide loads and loads of small hiding places. The more the better.
That's just how I like to pair of cichlids. Others may have different opinions.