4 replies to this topic

[PBK]

Has anyone had die off issues with banded, greensides, rainbow & other darters in aquariums? From some the posts and written literature I noticed a pattern especially with greensides & bandeds resulting
from diets, inexperience, or some other issues resulting in their untimely deaths. Solutions and sug-gestions would be appreciated.

Edited by PBK, 09 August 2023 - 10:26 AM.

[El Todd]

My greensides did well for a few years, and then slowly started getting skinnier. They're pretty old though, at least 5 years old and probably 6 or 7 - they were adults when I got them around 4 years ago. They started dying off a few months ago - one evey 3 months on average.

[ShadetreeIchthyologist]

Sounds like they just aged out. Most darters would be lucky to make it 4+ years in the wild.

[PBK]

I agree. Most darters don’t live6+ years. Thanx for the responses.

[Warbadger]

Never had a die-off with Rainbow or Fantail darters.  My original darters I stocked in 2021 are actually starting to age out now.

 

They *are* picky though.  Mine have been eating a rotation of frozen bloodworms and sprulina enriched brine shrimp - periodically soaked in vita chem because Bloodworms are basically junk food.  I use an oral syringe to shoot the food down toward the bottom when feeding - because it allows them to grab enough food before the ravenous horde of shiners and dace.