Julidochromis health concerns!

HeavycomestheAx · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010, 09:29 PM

I have a mated pair of Julidochromis regani in my 120g that for all observations look as though they are about to lay their first batch of eggs together. They have been in this tank since May of last year. However, the female is exhibiting several signs which lead me to believe that she has come down with bloat instead. I cannot say for sure, but for the last two dyas she has slowed down in activity, staying closer to the rockwork than before. She has also become rather distended in her abdomen. Both of these are signs of bloat, but I have been keeping an eye on water quality and everything is in order, plus she has been getting a well rounded diet of various frozen inverts (mysis, brine shrimp, krill) plus two types of New Life Cichlid pellets. Crossing both water quality and diet out of the equation I am perplexed as how she would have come down with bloat. I will note now that none of the other fish in the tank are exhibiting these same symptoms. Which leads me to my real question.

Has anyone with experience breeding Julidochromis noticed any of these pre-spawning traits in their female Julidochromis? I am hoping that she has become so gravid with eggs that she has decreased her activity. I have read that some Julies will lay small batches of eggs (5-15) more frequently, while some will lay large clutches of eggs (100-150) less frequently.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this does not turn out to be bloat.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chad

fiupntballr · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010, 10:32 PM

HI Chad,

Bloat is a general symptom which is caused by various conditions. Overfeeding of any fish could lead to this or general stress... I wouldn't say its a specific food but I strongly recommend to stay away from frozen brine shrimp (too many bad stories from people that I know). One of the first signs of the typical bloat is white stringy feces so that's something to look for. If you are convinced this is bloat its usually recommended to remove the fish (good luck with that!). Clout is a normal treatment but as you said its kind of odd.

Do you have any pics?

Emilio

HeavycomestheAx · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010, 11:08 PM

Holy crap do I not want to have to remove that fish. I'd have to tear the whole tank down just to get her alone! I'll try to get a photo tomorrow, but she has been staying just slightly out of sight under the rocks today, it may be hard.

I actually feed them the brine shrimp only once or twice a week, certainly not in excess. Though on the other had I do try to feed them three smaller feedings each day.

fiupntballr · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2010, 10:00 AM

I have had a few friends (not me personally) that can get a bad batch of frozen brine shrimp and cause serious issues with fish. I think one of the advantages also of gong with the freeze dried stuff is that it has gone through a decontamination process.

Keep us up to date with your Julie but if she does have bloat she will need to be removed as conditions that cause this are often considered contagious....

Emilio

gerald · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2010, 01:30 PM

I havent kept J.regani, but my ornatus and transcriptus show no obvious differences in body shape, behavior or anything else pre- vs post-spawning. Are her eyes bulging any?

You might try a diet of peas for awhile and see if that helps (try Full Circle frozen organic peas from Lowes Foods). I know Julies are mainly insect/crustacean feeders, but if her kidneys need some recovery time then a low-protein diet might help.

HeavycomestheAx · #6 (**permalink**) 02-18-2010, 08:37 PM

Gerald, hey thanks. No, she has not been exhibiting any bulging elsewhere then in her abdomen. In fact, if it makes a difference it is the back half of her abdomen that looks to be swollen. I typically think that the majority of a fishes intestinal track is further forward, just behind the pectoral fins.

She was decently active this morning, swimming around with her partner. Yet she still hasn't ventured too far away from her rocks. I have included a video. The Julie which you first see in the video is the fish in question.

YouTube - Julidochromis regani.mp4

fiupntballr · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 12:24 AM

So ...
I looked at the video and I think shes ready to spwn... no bloat there...
Also lots of positive pair and spawning behavior in that clip.

To be sure I showed this video to Pam Chin and a few fellow cichlid nuts and they all agree.

Keep an eye on her if your still concerned but keep an eye for eggs in a couple day or so....maybe even tonight

HeavycomestheAx · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 07:48 AM

AHH HA! I had my fingers crossed that it was the case. I have noticed a good amount of courting action between the two recently. I'll let everyone know the outcome.

On that note, I do not know how well the eggs/fry will survive. Emilio, the Yellow Calvus that I picked up several months ago are in the same tank! Although the Julies have been good at fending them away from their rock pile so far, Calvus are pretty sneaky when they know food is present. Anywho, thanks.

gerald · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 10:49 AM

Yup, looks like a happy healthy ready-to-pop momma.

fiupntballr · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 12:28 PM

So there are two things you can do.

Pair bond is strengthened through defending territory, babies, eggs, etc. You could leave the babies in there for the first 2 or 3 spawns. This will help make them a stronger pair.

The second thing you could do is siphon out the babies with something like an airline tubing into your 10 g if you really want them to survive.

Im my helianthus I left the babies in there and with Julies and Comps the babies were gone in a week but the helianthus just dug a deeper pit and i should expect to see babies again soon