Northfin Fish Food Vs. AAP All Natural Food

[devonjohnsgard]

Doing a new experiment with the creator of the AAP All Natural. Here we'll be able to keep track of progress with ongoing updates.

Tanks - (2) Standard 75 Gallon Aquariums with 39 lbs of pool filter sand as the substrate and (2) ceramic caves in each tank. Flat black background covering the back and sides in each tank.

Water Parameters - PH 8.4, GH greater than 180 ppm, KH 80 ppm, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 40 ppm,

Test Subjects - (15) Otopharynx Lithobates (Zimbabwe Rock) per tank

Filtration - (1) Hydro Sponge Filter #5's and (1) AAP/SunSun HBL-702 HOB Power Filter per tank

Heaters - (1) 100 watt Via Aqua Quartz submersible heater and (1) 50 watt Via Aqua Quartz submersible heater per tank

UV Sterilizers - (1) AAP/SunSun CUV-109A (9 watts) and (1) SunSun HJ-1542 pump per tank

Lighting - (2) Hanging fixtures with 15 watt 6400k daylight bulbs per tank

Feeding - Tank A - American Aquarium Products Carnivore w/ marigold, Tank B - Northfin Carnivore. Both tanks will be fed the same amount of food by weight once daily.

Maintenance - Water changes will be performed once the nitrates reach 40 ppm. The filter media will be rinsed in tank water every two weeks. The sponge filters will be rinsed in tank water every two weeks.

Goals

1) Grow juveniles to 4-1/2" - 5". Euthanize the largest fish and have the condition of the liver examined also noting any fatty deposits around the other organs.

2) If the test subject in Tank B has moderate to severe fatty deposits on its liver switch Tank B to American Aquarium Products Carnivore w/ marigold. After nine months euthanize the largest fish and have the condition of the liver examined also noting any fatty deposits around the other organs. There is some evidence that fatty liver condition can be reversed by switching to a better diet. However I want to see this for myself.

3) Note if the tank fed the diet with higher protein requires more frequent water changes. Converting excess protein to glycogen isn't very efficient and results in ammonia being expelled from the gills.

4) I want to see for myself how much if any the addition of marigold enhances the yellow spectrum.

[devonjohnsgard]

After a few weeks on the diets I have noticed a difference in size and aggression. The fish in the Northfin tank are growing faster and the level of aggression is notably higher. The dominant male at 2-1/2" spawned with one of the largest females at the beginning of last week. The fish in the AAP tank are showing no interest in spawning at this point. Obviously the higher protein/energy diet is the reason the NF fish are growing faster and spawning at that size. My theory is that the higher energy diet speeds up the life cycle so in effect the NF fin fish are already "older" than the AAP fish. I find it comparable to fish being kept in water five degrees warmer than the normal water temperature. I know it causes my aggression and believe it also speeds up the life cycle of the fish.

.0116 ounces for each tank today

Plan on increasing it to .015 oz over the next few days.

[devonjohnsgard]

The dominant male in the NF tank is much larger than all of the others and very "big boned".

[devonjohnsgard]

The male fish in the AAP tank dont has as much color as when i received them. I believe this is a result of slowing down the growth rate. One male in the AAP tank in the last few days is beginning to show dominant male characteristics. In the NF tank the dominant male is constantly displaying and chasing.

[devonjohnsgard]

As of yesterday a dominant male emerged in the AAP tank. He is showing good color for his size. I expected the NF fish to grow faster but I did not expect the difference in the level of aggression between the two tanks. I understand genetics play a role in aggression however in my experience the males that establish dominance first are the most aggressive.

[devonjohnsgard]

The dominant male in the AAP tank was hanging out quite a bit in the 4" clay flower pot. He did display a little for the females.

[devonjohnsgard]

Last night the dominant male "Carl" spawned with the one of the larger females "Mandy" in the AAP tank. Judging from my experience and her behavior I don't think "Mandy" will hold but for a few days. This occurred a little over two weeks after spawning occurred in the NF tank. This supports my theory that the higher energy food speeds up the life cycle of the fish. If this is correct it means that the NF fish are roughly two weeks further into their life cycle than the AAP fish. I think that a cigar is in order for "Carl".

[devonjohnsgard]

"Carl" was dancing for "Mindy". "Carl" is a handsome devil so its only a matter of time before "Mindy" gives in. While "Mindy" is sifting sand she just can't seem to get "Carl" off her mind.

"Mindy" has joined "Mandy" in the AAP maternity ward. At least now "Mandy" has company running "Carl" down when he spawns with the next ripe female.

[devonjohnsgard]

Fish are growing faster in JJ's tank. A couple of fish in Carls tank are looking on the thin side.

[devonjohnsgard]

Thinking the thinner fish was due to Nitrite poison from when the tank was establishing. The Northfin tank did cycle a day or two quicker than the custom food and the fish in the Northfin tank did seem to fair a little better through the rough cycle. Just guessing, but it might be the excess fat helping adsorb some toxicity helping the fish.

[devonjohnsgard]

Carl from the AAP tank has colored up nicely. Bit slower process than the Northfin tank. Northfin tank, they're larger as a group compared to the AAP tank. As expected.

[devonjohnsgard]

Some time has passed. Did loose a couple of fish in the AAP tank. Thinking it was from a Nitrite issue when the fish were first added, so thinking that having a bit more fat and protein for fry and sick fish is a good thing. Still exploring this point.

No more deaths in any tank.

Northfin tank fish are "big". Bigger than AAP tank.

Having abnormal algae growth in the Northfin tank. Flamentous algae in the filter. Just a small patch of algae in the aap tank. Considering measuring Phosphates and Silicates.