Nandopsis haitiensis Care Guide
Nandopsis haitiensis, the Haitian cichlid or black nasty, is a large aggressive cichlid endemic to Hispaniola.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Nandopsis haitiensis, the Haitian cichlid, is a large cichlid endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. FishBase records it from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In the aquarium hobby it is widely known as the black nasty for its dark coloration and pugnacious nature.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Nandopsis
- Scientific name: Nandopsis haitiensis
- Common synonyms: Black Nasty
Habitat
The species inhabits fresh and brackish waters of Hispaniola and is benthopelagic. FishBase notes that adults swim in open water while young fish are frequently found among aquatic vegetation in lakes and streams.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 10-22 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 21.5 cm SL
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
FishBase reports that it consumes algae, aquatic plants and turret shells, indicating an omnivorous bottom-oriented diet despite its predatory build. In captivity it accepts varied meaty and prepared foods.
Compatibility
This species is very aggressive and territorial and demands hard, alkaline water. Tank mates must be robust and similarly sized, such as large plecos or other aggressive cichlids; small fish and plants are unsuitable.
Breeding
It is a substrate spawner with biparental care; breeding difficulty is intermediate.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2020.
Haitian Cichlid Breeding Guide
Overview
Nandopsis haitiensis is a cichlid endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), recorded from the Rio Guayamouco near Hinche and the brackish lagoon Etang Saumatre (AquaInfo, FishBase). It is an open-substrate spawner: a pair cleans a stone and deposits the eggs, with the female caring for eggs and larvae. FishBase assesses it as Least Concern (2020).
Sexing
Females display a dark spot at the base of the spiny dorsal fin that males lack, and the male's dorsal fin is slightly more pointed in mature fish (AquaInfo). Males reach around 5 inches and females about 4.5 inches in standard length, with females remaining smaller due to continuous spawning.
Breeding Setup
The species needs rocks and wood for hiding places (AquaInfo). Reported breeding water in the AquaInfo spawning account was around 27-29 °C with a pH near 7.2-7.35; FishBase lists a species temperature range of 24-27 °C. Pairs spawn on a cleaned hard surface, so flat stones should be available.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
When in spawning condition the female turns almost entirely jet black except for her clear fins, retaining this colour only while guarding the brood (AquaInfo). The pair cleans a stone and the female deposits the eggs, then guards eggs and larvae closely.
Egg & Fry Care
A clutch numbers about 150-200 eggs (FishBase). Eggs hatch in roughly 3-4 days and fry become free-swimming after a further 7 days. Fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp and finely ground prepared foods, with frequent water changes; a critical mortality window occurs during early growth (AquaInfo).
Common Challenges
The species is aggressive when guarding a brood, and the parents' island isolation is noted to leave them sensitive, so they should not be crowded with other cichlids (AquaInfo). Pairing and protecting the early fry through the high-mortality phase are the main difficulties.