Beani Care

[Covetous]

Ex Chichlasoma Beani
Nandaposis Beani?
Mayaheros Beani?

Which is it now?

So after reading back through several threads on this site I've now come to understand that this fish is both loved and hated.

My main question being, do they really need such cold water? I've read that they thrive in high 60's!!?!? Then other reports tell me they are kept in the low 70's and then again I've seen reports that they enjoy up to 76. Can some one shine some light here for me?

Also any other tips or information are greatly appreciated. Also always love pictures!

 

[duanes]

The 1st time I kept Mayaheros beani, I got them as young adults, and during an extended summer heat wave, where night temps remained high, and they seemed prone to, and succumbed to bacterial infections during that time..
The next time I got them, as 8 juvies I grew them out without a heater, and had no problems. The alpha pair spawned in my room temp tanks, (between 68'F and 70'F), and I raised fry under the same conditions.


I also kept some in a pond in Milwaukee where night time water temps easily dropped into the low 60s.

They are from the north western coast of Mexico where night temps get quite cool, and water in the rivers flows down from the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, which influence average temps.

 

[Covetous]

Wow that's definitely chilly, but when they where in the pond I would imagine the water temp rose during the day right?

If one could replicate that cycle via inside air conditioning and no heater. Ex, 74 during the day and 67-68 at night. With lots of water flow. It should mimic almost natural habitat. Since alot of the Beani floating around are still WC/F1 that probably would be the best.

As for Diet I remember you said in a previous thread you didn't feed your lake Beani but rather they fed on lake vegetation and snails/flies/fry of other fish. But do you recommend the low protein high veggie matter diet?

 

[duanes]

I agree about the day/night difference, the days can be quite hot in that part of Mexico, and nights coo l(50sF air temp)l. My ponds water temp would also rise during the day, but maybe only into the low 70s. I see you are in Fl, there I wouldn't use a heater at all. I remember seeing that there was a feral beanii population in east-central lake somewhere in Fl.
I fed a spiruina based pellet, to mimic their omnivorous diet in nature.
And as far as nomenclature. Nandopsis is restricted to the Caribbean island cichlids, haitiensus, tetracanthus and ramsdeni, so even though beani, and even some species that are now Parachromis species were once considered Nandopsis, it cannot be used for any mainland species.

 

[Covetous]

Well that makes sense as to why they changed the nomenclature. I wish I knew where that lake was. I'd make a trip for sure. I've been looking at the San Pedro white Beani lately, I've seen some beautiful specimens. I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better.

 

[Justin Holland]

The Beani I just picked up are F2.
I was instructed by the breeder to keep them at 78-80° F.
I sure hope they will be fine. I've left for the weekend, smh.