Carpintis growth rate

[Matth05]

Wondering what is the average growth of a Carpintis cichlid is. I’ve had my Carpintis since it was around 1.5 inches and it’s now just under 4 inches. It’s been 5 months since I’ve had it. I believe that it is a male I’ll attach a picture. Is this a normal growth rate because I feel like he is growing pretty slowly?

 

[Reiner]

It all depends.

Water change schedule, how much how often. Tank size, tank mates ....?

 

[Matth05]

It all depends.

Water change schedule, how much how often. Tank size, tank mates ....?

Yes I should have mentioned in the original post. The tank is a 55 gallon. I do 30-40% changes every 5 days. Only tank mate is Raphael catfish.

 

[Muckfish]

I had some blues in my garage pond around 800 gallons. Through the winter pretty slow or non noticeable growth. I put them in my outdoor pond and they are growing much faster have doubled in size. They seem to breed at a fairly small size not sure if that’ll slow them down even more.

Yours has grown much faster then mine.

 

[Jexnell]

Sounds about right. In my experience Carpinitis are not as quick growing as some other cichlids.

 

[Matth05]

Thanks for sharing, I’ve been trying to find info on growth rate but there isn’t a lot of information. The one thing that I have found is that they grow in spurts. Is that something you’ve seen in your experience with them?

 

[Jexnell]

Mine was steady half to three quarters of a inch a month. I would tho add a second water change per week. All my tanks got 75% or more water change every three days.

 

[duanes]

I first got these H. carpintus "loc Chairel" in May 2012, they were around 1" at the start

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/Herichthys%20carpintus%20complex/.highres/026.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

Below a shot from Feb 2013 (@ 8 months later)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/Herichthys%20carpintus%20complex/.highres/035_zps6a4ff229.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

My average water change schedule, is 30-40% every other day. And I believe water changes are "the" most important component to good growth , as long as all other general care practices are followed.
In Oct 13, below, add a couple inches

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/Herichthys%20carpintus%20complex/.highres/001_zps24e5fe52.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

 

[Man-made Monsters]

I love Carpintis and have kept them on and off for the last 20 years. Most of the time I see what others have already reported on with growth of 3/4-1.0 inch a month. When they hit that 4.0-6.0 inch mark they seem to slow their growth for a few months. Then all the sudden they have a growth spurt. 1-3 Water changes a week gives the best growth rates. The next best thing for optimal growth is a varied diet. I vary their proteins from kelp/algae, to chopped blue claw crab, to a variety of pellets.

 

[Matth05]

I really appreciate the info everyone. I will try upping my water changes to every 3 days and see how that works. I can see why you’ve kept Carpintis for the last 20 years. My father has kept Oscars for as long as I can remember and this is the first cichlid that is mine. They are very entertaining fish.