Electric Blue Acara in 40 gallon...growth rate

[Steve Paul]

I am helping my 22 year old daughter with a new fish. She had an Angel and 6 corydora in a 40 gallon w/Cascade 1000 filter (sand substrate, fake plants, some nice hiding spots) for 6 years. The Angel died about 6 weeks ago and she decided she wanted a new fish. She decided on an Electric Blue Acara. I kept a Blue Acara for 8 years and have some experience with them.

But, the Electric Blue Acara that we purchased is only about 1.5" long and I don't have much experience with such a small fish.

We are feeding some Omega One flake and NLS 0.5mm pellets. Its been about a month and the little bugger hasn't grown much. He (she?) is eating pretty good....feeding 3 times a day and doing 75% water changes every 3 days.

Anyone have any idea how fast an EB Acara grows?

Thanks for reading.

 

[BIG-G]

I raise these and have had them for about 3 years. I have found their growth rate is similar to regular Acara.
Clean water and high quality food will go a long way. It may just take more time.
It’s possible that you have one that has been stunted.
Out of the spawns I have had they were always some that just didn’t grow or keep pace with the others.

 

[Serpentine]

Mine have tended to grow rather quickly. I have one right now that I bought as a 1.5 incher about 6 months ago and she is now about 4.5 inches and heavy-bodied. That's been typical IME. I don't expect her to grow much beyond that as they don't get as big as regular blue Acaras.

 

[juddb]

My male exploded from 1" to 3" in 2 months the female is hella growing slow though

 

[Steve Paul]

Thanks for your replies folks....I think I have the feeding and water change practices down (Ammonia/Nitrites are 0, and I keep nitrates below 20). The EB Acara is eating well and meeting me at the front of the aquarium. I am probably just being impatient.