Scotty's Spotty

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by tbittner

Actually I DO have a question about the species. I've seen comments about BSJF having issues with internal parasites and in a closed, small system like we have then those parasites are probably responsible for an early demise.

Why is the ocean any different as far as these parasites are concerned? I mean, didn't they most likely contract them in the ocean? Do BSJF breed like bunnies in the wild and they just don't live long in the wild because the parasites overwhelm them but because of the bunny behavior, the species survives?

Not trying to be funny, I'm genuinly curious.

Good thinking Terry! I don't think anyone knows for sure because studies of them in their natural habitat have not been done to my knowledge. I have not seen any reports or studies about their natural life expectancy.

I have a theory though, but no way to test it. Because this species digs there is a real possibility to pick up parasites, via their mouth, that eventually moves into their gut. Perhaps in the wild they can overcome the parasites through strong immunity, good diet and health. However, the stress that they are put through in the collection and distribution process could lower their immunity which makes them more susceptable to the ravages of the parasites. With that being said, we still don't know for sure if it's a parasite or not. For all we know the BS could be a vector for the parasite and it somehow enters through the skin.

It would take a lot of money to study this species and I just don't think it's worth it to the research scientists. The best we can do as hobbyists is try to get a healthy pair and start a breeding program to distribute healthy specimens.

I would be willing to look at deceased specimens microscopically, but getting cadaverous BSs is not easy.

[Craig Manoukian]

Scott,

Could low vitamin D levels have the same negative effect on the strength of the BSJF imune system that it has on humans? As we know vitamin D is synthesized via sunlight/cholesterol and thus flue/cold season is coincident with the winter months and our decreased exposure to the sun. Would vitamin D supplementation be of benefit?

[Dentoid]

Good question Craig! I don't know enough about fish physiology to answer this, but as hobbyists vitamin supplimentation is certainly worth a try.

[Craig Manoukian]

I agree, will do some research on what vitamins are available for supplementation.

[Dentoid]

[Craig Manoukian]

For general aquarium maintenance fish require a highly nutritious diet in order to spawn and produce large numbers of eggs. Unfortunately, there is no single perfect food. Therefore, every serious aquarist should try to feed as wide a variety of food as possible to provide a balance diet for their fishes.

The best food for your fishes is, of course, to duplicate their natural diet. This is however, easier said than done. For the serious aquarist, it is a good idea to formulate your own captive diet. This diet can be supplemented with live or frozen food such as bloodworms and high protein mysis shrimp.

Vitamin supplementation is not necessary. Although, overdose of most vitamins is unlikely to occur as excess vitamins are removed from the body via the kidneys. However, fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K may cause problems if given in large doses. Brewers yeast, fish liver and various fish meats and oils contain most of the essential vitamins when fresh.

When preparing a homemade diet, which includes fresh or frozen fish or fishmeal, be aware that certain fish groups contain thiaminase. Thiaminase is an enzyme, which destroys vitamin B1 (Thiamine), resulting in a deficiency of that vitamin. A deficiency can be avoided if a vitamin supplement containing B1 is used when preparing fishes such as minnows, herring, mackerel, smelt, whitefish (whitebait), and anchovy for use in your fish's diet. Sources of thiamine (B1) are dried milk, yeast distillers, and liver.


Frozen Fish Food Recipe

NZ Whitebait (fish) 1000 grams
Cooked Prawns (Shrimp) 2000 grams
Mussels 1000 grams
Frozen (Fresh) Spinach 500 grams
Optional Extras 250 grams
Gelatine (Agar) 375 grams

Optional extras can include: fish roe, mosquito larvae, spirulina, vitamin supplement or any other gourmet foods you can think of, but stay away from animal meats. Animal meats contain saturated fats, and most fishes are unable to utilize this form of fat. Fish, fish by-products and seafoods contain high levels of unsaturated fats. Therefore they are a good source of food for your fishes. Choose only good quality fresh/frozen ingredients, and avoid products containing preservative or other additives.

Preparation
Prawns are prepared by removing the head and spiked tail, leaving the body shell intact. In a food processor, chop and blend ingredients 1 to 6 with a small amount of water to form a smooth consistency. Mix all of the above and add dissolved gelatine or agar. If you add a vitamin supplement then add it last and mix thoroughly.

Pack into freezer bags or containers to a thickness of about 12 mm and freeze. After freezing, remove from refrigerator, cut into convenient size such as a daily feeding block and store in air-tight container in freezer. The block can then be cut or grated into bite-size portions for feeding to your fishes.

HTH

[Dentoid]

Thanks Craig! I guess vitamin D is no go!

[Dentoid]

Well Spotty has been tearing up my tank. He has gone down to the glass in some spots and is undermining everything! His neat tidy burrow is no longer there. It looks like a bomb went off. I think he is mad about the reduced feeding!

[framerguy]

Holy Retaliation Batman!!

[Dentoid]

The whole time he was saying, "...look what I can do...look what I can do!"

[framerguy]

Kids today! Lil' brats. ( hey kids, love ya, mean it..)

[bluespotjawfish]

lol! I'll trade you a kid or two for Spotty any day!

[tbittner]

[Dentoid]

Spotty has evacuated a burrow behind the rock work and is using the sheer face of the rock as a shield. Here he is popping out of an opening in the rock work.


There is a lot of activity in this area since this is the middle of the tank. Spotty is telling the Mandarin to keep his distance.

[BarbMazz]

LOL that last one is a great picture. Spotty must imagine his big ole mouth open makes him look big and scary;

"I'm a BIG MOUTH BASS ~ KEEP YER DISTANCE THERE, HIPPY FISH!!"

I loce looking at your pictures!