Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

How long do Daces live?

Started by Guest_Usil_* , Sep 06 2012 03:55 PM

Reply to this topic

6 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Usil_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 03:55 PM

I have had three mountain Dace living in my 55 gallon since about February this year. They are active and eat well but now, 6 months later they are looking a bit worn. Nothing has been picking on them and their fins are whole. Still active and still eating they just look like they are not as vibrant. I find it difficult to describe. I don't think it is the reduction in breeding coloration but there is something about them that is not as they were when I first put them in the tank.

Any ideas?

Usil

#2 Guest_gerald_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 04:14 PM

Do you mean mountain redbelly dace? IME experience Phoxinus need a large component of veggies in the diet (cooked peas, zucchini, sweet potato, etc) to do well long-term. Also heat could be an issue; best if you can keep them below 76 F most of the time; they can tolerate up to 80 for short periods. They should live at least three years, if they were a year or less when caught.

#3 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 06 September 2012 - 04:16 PM

cant find anything on P.oreas... but Etneir says that P. cumberlandensis has a lifespan of roughly 3 years with fish being sexually mature and mostly up to size within the first year...

This is why a person needs every Fishes of Whatever book... so that you can look stuff up! Although this one is technically on the web...

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#4 Guest_centrarchid_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 04:45 PM

I have kept them (southern redbelly dace) for two and a half years after collecting them as breeding adults in late spring.

#5 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 05:00 PM

I've had SRBD that have lasted for 3+ years.

#6 Guest_Skipjack_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 05:08 PM

I am going to beat Erica to the punch. Check your water parameters. If they are looking rough, it could be age, diet, water, or disease. Water is easiest to rule out.

#7 Guest_Usil_*

Guests

Posted 06 September 2012 - 05:11 PM

Ok, thanks for the suggestions. They are Chrosomus oreas (mountain rebelly dace).

I see a few things that might be the reason for their condition. First, the tank has had a temperature of 81 most of the summer and while there are plants and duck weed in the tank I stopped using some Tetramin food which did have veggies in them earlier this summer. They readily eat flake food and I have been using earth worm flakes and other freeze dried foods but had stopped the Tetramin. In fact, I don't think I have been feeding any veggies to them for some time. I will start daily feeding using the Tetramin flakes again and let you know if this has an effect.

Thanks, again.

Usil

Edited by Usil, 06 September 2012 - 05:15 PM.