Satanoperca Belly

[the_evil_duboisi]

Hi I have a juvie Satanoperca leucositica in my 30 gallon growout tank(Meant to turn into my polypterus's tank eventually)

Things are as follows;

tank: 30 gallon(36x12x18)

PH: 7.2

Filtration: Ehiem 2217+Stuffed with "good"( ) filter media+ 30% water changes twice a week

Temperature: 27-28'C

Fish: Acarichthys heckelii- 5"
Satanoperca leucosicita- 2"
Platydoras costatus x2- '5"
Hybrid peacock fry(Aulonocara jacobfreibergi male x OB peacock red female)- 2-3cm!!
Ancistrus sp.3 x3- 3", 2.5", 1"
Unknown korea minnow my fried gave me-2"
Polypterus senegalus 4"

Feeding: NLS 1mm cichlid pellets, Hikari sinking carnivore pellets


There used to be some cases of aggresion; At first the heckelii behaved aggresivly towards the Satan when he got in the way. So I realesed the peaqcocks fry into the tank, as the heckelii had been living with them for quite a long time, so he was so used to them he would't eat them. That helped, the pressure on the Satan was lifted. Now he just backs away from the heckelii when he comes, and the heckelii doesn't seem to pay any attention to him anymore. His life is much better.
I'm a bit concerned because, although he has great color(And chewed fins are regenerating), his stomach seems to range from: Vertical line - slightly pinched in, never full. Although he gorges himself on the pellets, as many as 20 in one feeding!
WHat do you think could be the reason? Do you think he's still under stress of the heckelii? Or perhaps their bellies don't look full? Or maybe I should add more things to the diet?

I'm a bit concerned

 

[invader]

Their bellies usually don't bulge like most cichlids... no idea why. Mine are full grown and look like you explain.

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Yup, just like that Guess I should just accept it as it is?

What do you feed yours? It would be nice if mine grew up quick into an adult like yours.

 

[invader]

Long list... bloodworm, live earthworm, live red wigglers, raw shrimp, hikari cichlid gold (sinking), clams, brine shrimp, shrimp pellets, algae tablets, and white worms. Mine will really eat anything that hits the bottom. I mostly feed the hikari pellets, bloodworms, and shrimp, but sometimes experiment with other foods listed.

Also, I would like to say that mine took about two years to reach this size. They seem to be fairly slow growing, but I didn't get them into this large tank until last August, where they did their final growing. Before, they started out in a 30gl and then a 55gl.

Good luck with yours. They are great fish!

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Yes, thanks you Mine has lots of green color on its body, and spangles. Does it mean its in good condition?

Also, at what size do they start to get their fabulous fin filments? Mine has regenerated all fin damage but the extentions don't seem to be shaping yet....

 

[invader]

Yes, thanks you Mine has lots of green color on its body, and spangles. Does it mean its in good condition?

Also, at what size do they start to get their fabulous fin filments? Mine has regenerated all fin damage but the extentions don't seem to be shaping yet....

Hmm... I don't remember when mine started to grow them... I think they really need to finish developing into proper subadults before the filaments come in.

 

[the_evil_duboisi]

Thanks again! How big are yours? And they seem to be the only two in you tank; don't they fight?

 

[invader]

Thanks again! How big are yours? And they seem to be the only two in you tank; don't they fight?

They have to be at least 8" or 9" now. Yes, they are the only two and they do fight a lot, but I don't have a place for the lesser dominant one atm. I also would like to take it to the lfs, but I'm treating the tank for a parasite and would not want to give it to their fish.

I would def. suggest keeping them alone or in a large group. I have found with my juvie Geophagus (while not the same, but very similar), that they are much easier to keep happy when there is more in a group. Not just one is being picked on.

 

[duncs]

In my tank I currently have three S. daemon, two S. jurupari and one S. leucosticta. The latter is probably the biggest fish in the tank - and its belly is quite rounded.

In my experience, it basically boils down to domination - the most dominant Satanopercoids are the fattest. The most aggressive fishes get the most food. Or something along those lines; that's certainly how it's worked out in my tank.

Personally I would never keep my Satanopercoids with more aggressive fishes. As invader points out, they're best in groups of 6 [more if you have the tank space!] where they can sort out the aggression between themselves. If one fish gets picked on too much, they become uber-stressed which, as we all unfortunately know, can easily lead to HITH

Get some pics up btw!