Is there any way to determine age?

[Evan New Zealand]

Got my first pistos today. Beautiful male and female which I hope to breed when they're ready.

 

[Mike Wise]

They appear to be fully mature Orange Flash cacatuoides. In the right environment they should be ready to spawn soon. Please realize that breeding apistos in a community environment is not a good idea.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

They appear to be fully mature Orange Flash cacatuoides. In the right environment they should be ready to spawn soon. Please realize that breeding apistos in a community environment is not a good idea.

Thanks Mike.
I have a 50 litre tank for them when the times right.

 

[FishFan]

Im no expert, but it looks like your fish might have fin rot.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

Im no expert, but it looks like your fish might have fin rot.

Thanks for bringing to my attention. I'm not sure, but have purchased some API Melafix just in case. Like you, I'm no expert either. Better safe than sorry.

 

[FishFan]

Of course! In my Experience, salt baths work as well .

 

[MacZ]

First choice remedy for fin rot would be lowering conductivity by a lot (down into 2-digit range) and raising humic substances (aka tannins). Makes for an environment the bacteria won't like.
Second, as mentioned, would be salt baths or less stressful and equally effective raising salt levels in a hospital tank.

Almost all meds ending on "-fix" are snakeoil.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

First choice remedy for fin rot would be lowering conductivity by a lot (down into 2-digit range) and raising humic substances (aka tannins). Makes for an environment the bacteria won't like.
Second, as mentioned, would be salt baths or less stressful and equally effective raising salt levels in a hospital tank.

Almost all meds ending on "-fix" are snakeoil.

Cheers for your comments.
Being relatively inexperienced I went with my local store advice. I wouldn't have a clue about bath salts, quantities, strength, application etc. I certainly don't want to cause any additional stress.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

I was advised to use the attached for 1x week and access the results.

 

[MacZ]

Classic. Every country has their go-to medications that are being recommended and have no actual purpose besides transferring your money to their pockets and giving the customer just the feeling to be helping.

I know that stuff, you can toss it. Useless.

I'm not going to be here a lot the next few days, so I hope the other regulars are going to talk you through a salt-treatment.

 

[Mike Wise]

Thanks Mike.
I have a 50 litre tank for them when the times right.

50 litres is a bit small for cacatuoides. Also don't be surprised if they spawn in their present tank.

 

[anewbie]

As for age it is almost impossible to guess with accuracy since a lot depends on their treatment; but they do not look very young to me. I would not be shocked if they are older than 18 months.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

50 litres is a bit small for cacatuoides. Also don't be surprised if they spawn in their present tank.

Sorry, should of said 50 gallon.

 

[firenzenz]

as with other comments don’t go with those store bought melafix products. They can create more issues than they solve. If anything just add non isodised salt. Non iodised Rock salt works great. 1 tablespoon per 15ltrs.
Were the fins like this when you got the fish and what tankmates are they in with? As with earlier comment getting some good botanicals in there and tannins will give you natural remedies against such things.

Are you NZ based. I am.
You may want to check out ‘Dwarf cichlids New Zealand’ on Facebook if you are as well as here. Not as many learned people but worth it as there are a number of breeders on there so lot of knowledge regarding creating appropriate breeding setups, as there are here as well of course.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

as with other comments don’t go with those store bought melafix products. They can create more issues than they solve. If anything just add non isodised salt. Non iodised Rock salt works great. 1 tablespoon per 15ltrs.
Were the fins like this when you got the fish and what tankmates are they in with? As with earlier comment getting some good botanicals in there and tannins will give you natural remedies against such things.

Are you NZ based. I am.
You may want to check out ‘Dwarf cichlids New Zealand’ on Facebook if you are as well as here. Not as many learned people but worth it as there are a number of breeders on there so lot of knowledge regarding creating appropriate breeding setups, as there are here as well of course.

Cheers, will do.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

as with other comments don’t go with those store bought melafix products. They can create more issues than they solve. If anything just add non isodised salt. Non iodised Rock salt works great. 1 tablespoon per 15ltrs.

I'm not a salt fan, I don't think it does anything for fish health and it is absolutely disastrous for your plants.

Why would fish that come from soft water, with negligible amounts of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), benefit from its addition? That is also a huge amount of salt (NaCl) and will raise the electrical conductivity to a very high value.

Were the fins like this when you got the fish and what tankmates are they in with? As with earlier comment getting some good botanicals in there and tannins will give you natural remedies against such things

There is scientific evidence that tannic, fulvic and humic compounds improve fish health.

Are you NZ based. I am.
You may want to check out ‘Dwarf cichlids New Zealand’ on Facebook if you are as well as here. Not as many learned people but worth it as there are a number of breeders on there so lot of knowledge regarding creating appropriate breeding setups, as there are here as well of course.

It is always useful to talk to people.

Cheers Darrel

 

[MacZ]

If any use salt in a separate tank. It does do the trick. BUT it is not a good idea to use all the time and neither to use it on softwater fish too often or too long. As mentioned low conductivity and low pH do help, but require more work long term than setting up a small hospital tank and add salt.

 

[Evan New Zealand]

If any use salt in a separate tank. It does do the trick. BUT it is not a good idea to use all the time and neither to use it on softwater fish too often or too long. As mentioned low conductivity and low pH do help, but require more work long term than setting up a small hospital tank and add salt.

I'm not 100% he has fin rot to be honest.
My water is tested every other day,, and he seems to be very healthy, n horny .

 

[MacZ]

I was only adding on what was said so readers get the full picture.