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Darter die-offs


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#1 PBK

PBK
  • NANFA Guest
  • Ohio

Posted 09 August 2023 - 10:15 AM

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.


#2 El Todd

El Todd
  • NANFA Member
  • Silver Spring Md

Posted 09 August 2023 - 01:51 PM

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.



#3 ShadetreeIchthyologist

ShadetreeIchthyologist
  • Regional Rep
  • Charleston SC

Posted 09 August 2023 - 02:43 PM

Sounds like they just aged out. Most darters would be lucky to make it 4+ years in the wild.
"Amateurs can potentially make valuable contributions to our knowledge of fishes". - Etnier and Starnes

#4 PBK

PBK
  • NANFA Guest
  • Ohio

Posted 09 August 2023 - 05:29 PM

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

#5 Warbadger

Warbadger
  • NANFA Member
  • Loudoun, VA

Posted 06 April 2024 - 08:50 PM

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.






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