exCichlasoma beani - Well That Didn't Take Long

[Jim Cumming]

I emptied my 1100G pond on Sunday.For the nine exCichlasoma beani in the pond, 'summer camp' was over. It looks as if there are five males and four females. They thrived in the four months they were out there, the males now ranging from 7 to 9", the females 5 to 6". No sooner had I moved them into their winter quarters, one of the males took up with a female. She began to show vertical barring on the sides, a blackening chest area, and a black patch on the anterior part of her dorsal. For the last few hours they have been courting, flaring, swimming together, tail slapping and staking out a territory. Here are a few pictures of the 'beani' couple (soon to be parents, I hope).

[Dan Woodland]

When the double bar across the face doesn't fade you're in business! Great looking fish, one of my favorites.

[Jim Cumming]

When the double bar across the face doesn't fade you're in business! Great looking fish, one of my favorites.

Thanks for the heads up, Dan. By the way, it looks as if the pair bond is firmly established. They have declared a 'reign of terror' on anything that even remotely comes close to their territory. They are one mean fish. This normally peaceful 180G is now being ruled by the pair. I've got to keep a watchful eye open for any casualties, and if worst comes to worst, remove the 'beani'. That will be easier said than done. Stay tuned!

[Alex Odesit]

Jim, as always enjoying your fish and write ups. Beautiful Beani!

Alex

[zenins]

Great looking fish

Thanks for sharing

[Dan Woodland]

They are one mean fish.

Usually only amongst their own kind... they don't usually hold their own very well when alone against other large cichlids.

You already know this about other cichlids but they can turn on each other in a heart beat, even while tending eggs or fry.

[Bas Pels]

So the best way to keep beany would, perhaps, be in a relatively large tank, with relatively few fishes, with beani being some 10 % of the number.

That is, for example, 10 Herichthys tamasopoensis, 10 H labridens and a pair of beani in a 3 meter - 10 feet - tank?

[Gmfishnut]

Beautiful pair. How about an update?

[Jim Cumming]

Well, not such great news. About a week after the pics were taken, the pair went off their food and became very lethargic. I moved them to their own 25G tanks and treated with metronidazole and epsom salts (not at the same time). After two months, the male is back to his normal self but the female isn't. I have a couple of other treatment options in mind but so far it doesn't look good for her. The beani curse is still with me, it would seem. Unfortunately, I sent off my other 4 adult beani to a fish hobbyist in BC. Hoping not, but I might have to give it another go with some young stock. The pond seemed to be the key to bringing them along.

[Gmfishnut]

Sorry to hear that.
I had the same problem when I had a group back in 2009. I managed to get some of the adults Jeff Rapps brought in.
I had a pair form and spawn in my 265. About a week after they spawned the female bloated and I lost her. Managed to syphon the fry and ended up with around 100 that I spread around.

[Jim Cumming]

Well, my hopes of saving my 6" female beani, and ultimately getting the pair to spawn ended today. Whatever her malady, she remained lethargic and didn't eat, becoming weaker as the days went by. I think she basically starved to death. I tried epsom salts, metronidazole, and a lot of TLC but to no avail. I still have the nice 8" male that I'll keep in hopes of coming by a mature female for him ... or try for the third time with some juveniles in the Spring, just in time for pond season.

[Dannydovii]

Hello all. Is that last Beani pic a rio presidio?

[Juan Artigas]

I had a group back in 2009. I managed to get some of the adults Jeff Rapps

Apparently those fish were collected in Rio Panuco near Mazatlan by Rusty Wessel in 2009. Rio Panuco is a tributary of Rio Presidio.

[CA cichlid dude]

I emptied my 1100G pond on Sunday.For the nine exCichlasoma beani in the pond, 'summer camp' was over. It looks as if there are five males and four females. They thrived in the four months they were out there, the males now ranging from 7 to 9", the females 5 to 6". No sooner had I moved them into their winter quarters, one of the males took up with a female. She began to show vertical barring on the sides, a blackening chest area, and a black patch on the anterior part of her dorsal. For the last few hours they have been courting, flaring, swimming together, tail slapping and staking out a territory. Here are a few pictures of the 'beani' couple (soon to be parents, I hope).

Sorry to hear that.
I had the same problem when I had a group back in 2009. I managed to get some of the adults Jeff Rapps brought in.
I had a pair form and spawn in my 265. About a week after they spawned the female bloated and I lost her. Managed to syphon the fry and ended up with around 100 that I spread around.

Very nice beani.


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