A.nijsseni experience?

[Dan724]

Hi , kinda of new here. I wanted say this is a great forum. kudos to the webmaster and all members.
I'm from NYC and was fortunate to get my paws on some nijsseni, a trio to be exact at a lfs. When purchased I noticed some fin clamped, and just thought to be from stress. well I added them to community tank and hid out quite a bit and didn't unclamp. I decide to move them to qaurentine tank( I should have to begin with). All I had is 5gal, so I set it up BB with just a few rocks driftwood. Before I transfered them I added 1 capsule of Discomed (no carbon in filter).Temp is 80f. After a couple of days their fins are less clamped, and are much more active, showing some breeding behavior. I have been doing 15-20% h2o changes everyday to remove any uneaten food. I have expermented with several foods, frozen bloodworms/brineshrimp. chichlid crumbs and flakes, tetrabits. They are not eating well, they occasionally go after all the food listed. I have started some bbs today, they might be more interested.
I have not added any more discomed and don't plan to. I will continue with h20 changes, and try to add some live food. I will have to either move them back 50gal community tank or setup a larger tank.

I wanted to get some opions on what to do? Do you think the Discomed helped? They are very cool little fish, when they where in the 50gal, they seemed a little bold when out and about. Often sizing up to the much larger Bolivan Rams!!! Is this normal? Tough little guy. It seem it didn't mind the nudging of the rams. I really want them to thrive! So any advice will be appreciated.

 

[fishgeek]

I think and more experienced members will correct me if wrong , nijsseni are more aggresive/bold apisto's so they may well give the rams some grief

the less active state in the qt tank maybe down to lack of dithers and a feeling of insecurity with no one else moving around the tank

equally so the fact you sa they dont eat well concerns me about common wild caught apisto problems from worms to internal protozoan and other flagelates

keep a close eye on the feaces and maybe run a search on things like worms/protozoa/metronidazol/levamisol , under all of those i'm sure some interesting things will come up

andrew

 

[Dan724]

thanks andrew for the advice.

Update- they are even more active and have been picking more at food today , So I will keep with the present regime.

wild caught? I was not aware that wild caught specimens are being sold at lfs, I assumed most where captive breed. I really wouldn;t have gotten them if I knew that. 1. issue with parasites and feeding. 2. and I think most important, is depleting wild populations. I'm not a breeder or researcher, just a hobbist. I don't need such special genetics. Just my .02. and my fault for assuming( you know what they say)

I will do everything possible to have these specimens thrive. Further imput from members would be appreciated.

I don't think I will introduce them at any time back into the community tank. They are deserving of ther own tank. I was thinking of a 10 or 15 gallon, what do you guys think?

 

[Xanathos]

Hi Dan,

I kept those guys a while ago, and I can tell you that they are very efficients killers when it's time to spawn, so it's a good decision to isolate them. A pair should do well in a 15 gallons, IMO.

Mine ate flakes and frozen food alike. They love a soft, acidic water, wich is necessary if you want to breed them.

Good luck
Phil