Black Nasty Cichlid Care Guide

[TheReefer]

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.

He was, he was actually the reason I got interested in them and why I made this care guide

 

[fishhead0103666]

And how long ago exactly did you become interested in this species Mr “reefer”?

 

[Serpentine]

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

Man, that is a crying shame. What a beautiful fish.

 

[RD.]

A sad, yet good example of how stress triggered bloat can come in many forms, besides just a fishes diet. Far too many people in this hobby fixate on just the diet, not realizing that any form of stress can cause a bloat prone species to become ill. I doubt that most people would think that a healthy 8 year old male such as Andy's fish could become deadly ill from simply moving him to a new tank.

Unfortunately these things happen from time to time in this hobby. Time to look forward and move on.

Yes, so true. Best of luck with the 3 other pairs!

 

[Coryloach]

I am really sorry for your loss Andy, beautiful fish.

there are a lot of scenarios where one doesn't require 3-5 yrs of hands on experience

Experience is only valuable if used as a tool to develop one's knowledge. There are people that keep pacing on the same spot for years. People gain different level of knowledge throughout their experience and that's what sets one apart from the others, including in real life.

 

[Drgnball]

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

Sorry to start up a old post but there's not much info on these species. What could you have done differently to prevent him passing away from a tank swap? Reason I ask is there's a 12" male for sale and I'm paranoid I may lost him moving into a new tank. My check list so far is do a water change couple of days prior and check all water parameters are good, set temp to low high 80/low 90, keep light off for a few days and feed him same diet.

 

[duanes]

Sorry to start up a old post but there's not much info on these species. What could you have done differently to prevent him passing away from a tank swap? Reason I ask is there's a 12" male for sale and I'm paranoid I may lost him moving into a new tank. My check list so far is do a water change couple of days prior and check all water parameters are good, set temp to low high 80/low 90, keep light off for a few days and feed him same diet.

I moved my male around quite a bit without problems.
After spawning, the fry would often try to cannabalize the male, and he'd need to be removed to save his life.
When the fry started picking at him, he simply allowed it, seldom even trying to shake them off.

Above fry picking at him, and below the wound from fry cannabalisum
.