Black Nasty Cichlid Care Guide

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Perhaps this and future care sheets can be a collaborative effort, with various experienced keepers offering contributions based on their personal or general knowledge?

For example, building on OP's care sheet with Duane's personal experience and RD's knowledge of how to prevent bloat in sensitive fish.

The final result could be a peer-reviewed "MFK Approved" care sheet that readers can use with confidence, trusting in the verified experience and know how of the authors who put it together.

So often I have stumbled onto apparently legit care sheets where it turns out the author didn't know what they were talking about (not lumping the OP in here). Sometimes this even caused harm to my fish. It would be great to have not just one but a group of knowledgeable people contributing to a vetted article that we could trust.
 
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Serpentine said:
Perhaps this and future care sheets can be a collaborative effort, with various experienced keepers offering contributions based on their personal or general knowledge?

For example, building on OP's care sheet with Duane's personal experience and RD's knowledge of how to prevent bloat in sensitive fish.

The final result could be a peer-reviewed "MFK Approved" care sheet that readers can use with confidence, trusting in the verified experience and know how of the authors who put it together.

So often I have stumbled onto apparently legit care sheets where it turns out the author didn't know what they were talking about (not lumping the OP in here). Sometimes this even caused harm to my fish. It would be great to have not just one but a group of knowledgeable people contributing to a vetted article that we could trust.
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I like that idea, I sort of tried that by talking with Duanes, but I don't think many people are all that interested.
 
I believe haitiensus is a bit of a special case (but not isolated), and one that illustrates how generic tropical fish care and terms may not be readily applied, as one size fits all.
Haitiensus is the only cichlid on hispaniola and in its habitat (other than introduced Tilapines) which may give it unique application trying to house it with tank mates. Its lone cichlid eviolution suggests living in a cichlid community may not be recommended.
On islands such as hispaniola water temps can be much higher than those mainland cichlids experience, so its sensitivity to normal tropical community tanks should be realized (at least when a juvie).
But this does not just apply to island species, take Mayaheros beanii.
It is the most northerly cichlid on the Pacific coast of Mexico, so its non-other cichlid habitat evolution often makes cichlid community tank mates for it almost impossible.
But just the oppsite of haitiensus, temps in that area can get much cooler at night, and certain times of the year, so it has evolved to adjust to diurnal and seasonal changes.
My first try at beanii was thwarted by a summer heat wave, where they succumbed to bacterial infection.
The next try I skipped the use of any heaters, and my first beanii spawn happened in 68'F water temp.
They were also slightly less aggressive kept at room temps for me.

male above, female below in spawning colors

the tank temp

below female with fry in that tank
 
Andy woods cichlids uk said:
Just lost my best male after 8 years of care.
Bloated after a tank up grade.
Wish I never bothered moving him. Gutted.
Do have 3 more pairs growing on nicely. Hopefully I'll get another monster, and keep it alive longer.

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wow, never knew you were on here. Sorry for your loss, I saw the video. It's really sad to lose a pet, especially one that you have had for awhile and one that is so personable.
 
I never understood the point of a care guide... general guidelines yes... but each animal is it's own case... you may have a short body flowerhorn... gets impacted and dies and you think it's for a or b reason but sometimes you may never truly know... maybe it just wasnt a healthy specimen...

All you can do is take basic knowledge mixed with your own experience and learn more off of it.... I've had so many wtf moments reading guides and experiencing completely opposite of what I've read

Also saw the video and I'm sorry for your loss Andy woods cichlids uk Andy woods cichlids uk he was a beast!
 
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Andy woods cichlids uk said:
Just lost my best male after 8 years of care.
Bloated after a tank up grade.
Wish I never bothered moving him. Gutted.
Do have 3 more pairs growing on nicely. Hopefully I'll get another monster, and keep it alive longer.

View attachment 1372855
Click to expand...
I watched the video too. Sorry to hear that man. He was a stunning fish.
I wish you lots of luck with your little ones.
 
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