I just finished a setup for my new Dwarf Caiman. I opted to start with a 150 gallon rubbermaid and I plan on upgrading it to a 300 gallon rubbermaid when she is fully grown. I'll post picts soon.
Anyway, I've had spectacled caimans in the past and have had some problems with what the pathology reported as "bacteria and fungus disease" or white spot. It was treated with a topical antibiotic with no success. The vet said that once it enters the blood stream there is nothing that can be done. The specimens that obtained this were all juviniles in a enclosure with good filtration and water movement, ate regularly and seemed otherwise healthy. Does anyone know the cause of this. It's not something I want repeated with my dwarf caiman.
I have heard this may be caused by a weakened immune system due to malnurishment that leads to infection from the water. I have also heard that crocodilians secret acid in much the same way we sweat and it will quickly make the water too acidic no matter what type of filtration you may have. Could the problem have been they were fed only on trout. To be safe I now feed only rodents, crawfish, or chicks to give a more natural diet.
