Trying to learn from my loss

[Griz]

I recently lost my male cacatoides (Orion) and I'm wondering if this was a natural death or something that could have been avoided.

He was about 2 years old and became reclusive and did not feed. A few days later he hid under a piece of bogwood where there is a fair bit of room. One female regularly nests in that spot. I was able to see him and he seemed to have normal colouration (perhaps a bit pale) was breathing normally and situated upright. He definitely was not trapped. He died 2-3 days later under the wood. I examined him and found no sign of injury bloating, or disease.

Some things that may help: Mine is a moderately planted 33 gal community tank with 2 females. Water stats are very stable at pH 7.5/ GH 8/ KH 4, water changes of 15% weekly at least, sometimes twice per week. Fed quality flake food as a staple, frozen bloodworms about one per week, frozen BS 2-3 a week, and no food once a week. No changes to the tank or my routine at all and no other fish losses. Tankmates are one-lined pencilfish and rummynose tetras.

I know that these are annual fish in the wild but I thought that their life expectancy was more like 3-4 years in the aquarium. Any opinions or suggestions?

 

[fishgeek]

i have had similar and think that prehaps some arge males will do this before dying of natural or age related cause's

i think life span of these fish is variable and certainly temperature has a bearing , in both changing temperatures are suggested to make a difference
and lower temperatures 22-26 dependant on species to generally prolong life

andrew

 

[Mike Wise]

Römer made a study of longevity in apistos. He found that the typical lifespan of an apisto was 18 - 24 months. If you have had your male for 2 years (he was probably 6 months old when you bought him), then he probably was just old & his time had come. As Andrew wrote, temperature is important in the longevity of coldblooded animals. For most apistos temperatures around 72ºF/22ºC is optimal for long term maintenance, but the eggs/fry need higher temperatures if you want to avoid extremely skewed sex ratios.

 

[Griz]

Thanks for the reponses, I was hoping to hear that.

I've kept the tank at 25C but perhaps I'll lower that by a degree or two in the future for cacs. Unless I decide to breed them of course. The temperature recommendations I have seen are, I suppose, for breeding purposes. I'll bear in mind that lower temps might be preferable for maintainance. So, I guess I HAVE learned something!

I'm now left with his mate which is also about 2 years and one of their offspring, a female who is about 1 year. I think I will allow the older female to live out her remaining life before adding some more apistos to the tank. She has become quite beautiful, developing very male-like characteristics. That will give me some time decide whick species I will try next!

 

[nightowl1350]

Sorry you lost him. I just lost my triple red female, but still have the male. I'm pretty sure my pair were older as well. I have some fry from two diferent spawns some only a few weeks the others are 2 months old.

Good luck with your next ones.