Prochilodus Flagtails

[jeaninel]

Hey guys! I have a question on flagtails and I know quite a few of you keep them. Specifically I'm looking for those who have grown them out from young juvies. I've had my flagtail a couple months now. It's about 2-1/2 to 3". He seems to be growing very slowly. I currently have him in a 55 gallon with 4 Bolivian Rams until he gets enough size on him to go in my 150 with the big boys.

My questions are:
1) do you find them to be slow growers?

2) when do they develop the reddish orange coloring in their caudal fin? Mine has just a hint of yellow right now.

Here's a couple pics of mine.

 

[xraycer]

I hear many members who claim their flagtails grows super fast, but that hasn't been the case for me. Mine is going on 2 years and have only gone from 3" to 6" in this period of time. Other than the slow growth, it seems very healthy: active and colorful.

Its in a 180 and have been growing out with CA for nearly 2 years now

 

[jeaninel]

I'd love to see pics of yours. How big was it when it started to develop color? These guys are algae eating machines! What do you feed yours? Besides munching on algae, mine currently gets flakes, small nls pellets and frozen foods. I know they love veggies. Do you feed yours zucchini or any other veggies?

 

[xraycer]

I'd love to see pics of yours. How big was it when it started to develop color? These guys are algae eating machines! What do you feed yours? Besides munching on algae, mine currently gets flakes, small nls pellets and frozen foods. I know they love veggies. Do you feed yours zucchini or any other veggies?

Mine has always had great coloration, but I think it may have been a little bigger than yours is right now. No pics, but here's a vid(2013) made a few months after I got him.

 

[xraycer]

This vid(2014) was shot a year after the previous vid. You'll see him starting at the 50sec mark. I'll see if I can a decent pic later today

 

[jeaninel]

Very nice! He looks great. Looking forward to more pics. Is he still in with the same tankmates?

 

[xraycer]

Is he still in with the same tankmates?

Yep.

 

[xraycer]

Looks like I got a fairly decent pic.....for once

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Right timing, awesome shot.

 

[Rafini]

Mine also grew very very very slowly. so slowly that he ended up lunch for my achara catfish.
I had the flag tail for about 6 months and he grew from 2" to about 3.5". the achara grew from 4" to 10" in a few months