Dovii growth rate

[MP_cichlid]

I have a pair of 6-7inch fh's in a 40 breeder with a 5-6 inch dovii. Ik,ik the tank is way too small, in upgrading soon. I've had the dovii for 7 months now starting at 1 at most. Is this normal growth? Also the dovii gets bullied by the flowerhorns quite a bit, he doesn't get marks up but he gets chased . The female flowerhorn is rally the aggressor beleivw it or not, I was wondering if this all sounds normal and how long until my dovii really gets his dovii attitude and starts to fight back.

 

[qguy]

Growth rate is ok given, but being bullied 24/7 is not good

 

[MP_cichlid]

well it isn't 24/7, he definitely has some secure hiding spots. but I was wondering if i truly had to worry. ik it obviously isn't good, but do you think i should be too worried or should he be alright? ik it makes me sound like an idiot. Like "just get a bigger tank if u cant handle that then get different fish" but i am doing my best to get a bigger tank. If you have any temporary tips that would be great

 

[qguy]

glass divider or any kind of divider to separate the two...

 

[MP_cichlid]

well i actually had that for a bit, it worked well but was soo ugly that i decided to try some dithers, try to crowd the tank in all honestly just so they can't secure a territory so far it has worked well. I have 400 gph so filtration isnt a problem. right now i picked up 2 baby convicts and a baby firemouth. Just a cheap start in case it didn't work out. im thinking maybe a buttikoferi, a jag and some other things.

 

[qguy]

put the divider and shape it like a triangle using part of the back glass and the whole of the side glass, would not look so bad

 

[ehh]

Sometimes you have swallow your need for pretty appearances and do what's best for the fish. Him being stressed to hell all day won't help him grow.

 

[ehh]

Also what does your water change schedule look like? If you're not changing the water pretty often the high nitrates can also slow down growth.

 

[MP_cichlid]

what kind of divider is best do u guys think? i would like a glass one, but i can't find one for a 40 breeder. Also do you think the crowding idea might help?

 

[MP_cichlid]

also what did you mean about the triangle divider thing