I recently purchased a group of these and in trying to further my knowledge of the species I have came across several inconsistencies regarding their adult size. Several profiles I have looked at suggest a maximum size of 7-8 inches, as where the most detailed article I have found comes form the Cichlid Room Companion and states their maximum size is just under 6 inches. Not to mention I have read forum posts where people have talked about owning 12 inch Heckelii. So my question for those of you who have kept this species is what size should I expect mine to reach when fully grown? Also, are they slow growers, or just slow to mature? Any discussion of this species is welcomed, and of course feel free to post pictures of ones you have kept yourselves.
Acarichthys Heckelii question
- Thread starter Kalen
- Start date
I'm no expert, but I bought a group of four of them at 1" about 9 months ago. One jumped out and died when I had my water way too high and didn't have a cover yet. They seemed to be growing slow at first, but they picked up speed after a while. My biggest one is about 6" now and has pretty nice trailers, and the other two are about 5" and beginning to have trailers. I feel like they're not even done maturing yet, because their trailers aren't as developed as I would expect. I can't tell you about maximum size, but I'm pretty sure mine still have a ways to grow. They're cool fish though; they eat a lot, are pretty chill, and clean the sand. Here's a not-so-good pic of my largest one:
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu355/ayhamnahhas/IMG_20120720_164856.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu355/ayhamnahhas/IMG_20120720_164856.jpg
There is an article in Cichlid News magazine that has loads of info and great pics, mid 2000s I believe.
I first acquired my 4 heckelli in Feb 2012, they were just under 2"
They are now at approx 5".
I keep them in a heavily planted 125 gal tank with Guianacara geayi, discus and some tetras
The info I have read suggests that temps in the high 80s are preferred, my pH is neutral, with water changes every other day or so.
I have seen some 8"-10" heckelli (maybe larger), one I believe was at the Chicago ACA a few years back.
Info also suggests they can be very aggression with each other, I have not seen this as of yet, but mine are not mature, and the tank is very crowded with the discus and Guianacara as distractions.
I first acquired my 4 heckelli in Feb 2012, they were just under 2"
They are now at approx 5".
I keep them in a heavily planted 125 gal tank with Guianacara geayi, discus and some tetras
The info I have read suggests that temps in the high 80s are preferred, my pH is neutral, with water changes every other day or so.
I have seen some 8"-10" heckelli (maybe larger), one I believe was at the Chicago ACA a few years back.
Info also suggests they can be very aggression with each other, I have not seen this as of yet, but mine are not mature, and the tank is very crowded with the discus and Guianacara as distractions.
I've kept them up to say 8-9"...and seen them as big as maybe 10-11".
I'd assume that most of the heckeli in the hobby are from Peru. Rapps recently brought in some from Brazil. Wondering if those might be a larger variety...
Matt
I'd assume that most of the heckeli in the hobby are from Peru. Rapps recently brought in some from Brazil. Wondering if those might be a larger variety...
Matt
It looks like mine will be making their way to the 125 then. I was under the impression they were slow growing since I know they take so long to mature, but apparently this is not the case. Have any of you ever spawned Acarichthys Heckelii? If so considering there is no way to recreate their natural spawning method within the aquarium, what method did you use?
Wayne Leibel used flowerpots set face down and knocked out the bottom for the "top" when he bred them. I have not seen very many other sucessfull breedings in other places.
The Geo Bible lists them as getting up to 25cm SL, which is about the 10" ones I've seen before.
The Geo Bible lists them as getting up to 25cm SL, which is about the 10" ones I've seen before.
I've never spawned them but I've had them with tubes down... I lost my group after our fire a couple of years ago...
They're one of those fish that's mellow for a long time...and then a male will just snap and kill females.
What I've heard is to partially bury a piece of sewer pipe....or use large PVC with a turn on the end.
The article on CRC is a good guide.
Matt
They're one of those fish that's mellow for a long time...and then a male will just snap and kill females.
What I've heard is to partially bury a piece of sewer pipe....or use large PVC with a turn on the end.
The article on CRC is a good guide.
Matt