Got my first Peacock last Friday

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jgentry

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Aug 22, 2008
2,107
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51
Gallatin, TN
Well last friday I got my first peacock bass. I was ordering a couple of Lima shovelnoses and saw that they had peacocks for $8 so I thought I would give them a try. I ordered 2 but one arrived near death and didn't last the first day. They were shipped on a very cold night and I think the temp just dropped to much. The other peacock made it OK and seems to be doing great. It's a tiny little guy, only about 2 inches. I've got it in a 45 grow out tank until it gets big enough for my 220g. It is already eating blood worms and I have also been giving it guppies. I've got the temperature at 85 degrees.

I've read that at 7 inches you should start converting them off live food. If my little guy is already eating blood worms should I just work on getting it to eat more frozen and dried foods and not give live foods? Or will this make it not grow or cause any problems. It's pretty easy for me to get feeders, I just thought frozen are dried foods will be better for it.
 
jgentry;2460570; said:
Well last friday I got my first peacock bass. I was ordering a couple of Lima shovelnoses and saw that they had peacocks for $8 so I thought I would give them a try. I ordered 2 but one arrived near death and didn't last the first day. They were shipped on a very cold night and I think the temp just dropped to much. The other peacock made it OK and seems to be doing great. It's a tiny little guy, only about 2 inches. I've got it in a 45 grow out tank until it gets big enough for my 220g. It is already eating blood worms and I have also been giving it guppies. I've got the temperature at 85 degrees.

I've read that at 7 inches you should start converting them off live food. If my little guy is already eating blood worms should I just work on getting it to eat more frozen and dried foods and not give live foods? Or will this make it not grow or cause any problems. It's pretty easy for me to get feeders, I just thought frozen are dried foods will be better for it.
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Feed it whatever it will eat at that size. Keep it on the bloodworms and feeders and try introducing tiny pieces of cut raw shrimp now and then. If it will take it you have a huge head start on the health of the fish. But again at that size feed it anything that it will eat, 2-3 times per day. You can back down on the number of feedings when it gets about 4 inches or so. Quality live food is good for them when they are tiny. Water change water change water change. Did I say water change? Do it once a week. 25%. You can back off on that again when it is 4 inches or so but I wouldnt exceed going longer than every other week 25% for the life of the fish. They are extremely sensitive to ammonia and frequent water changes for cichla is just part of the game if you want them to be what you expect them to be. Good luck and welcome to your new addiction!
 
sorry for your loss man,but at least you still have one and its gonna be a monster. got any pics?
 
if its easy for you to get feeders then stick to feeders till he gets to the 7-8inch mark. nice pick up by the way. any pics?
 
freshwaterz;2460735; said:
not tryin to change the subject, but how do you figure out the species of peacock bass you have? There is one at my lfs that keeps catchin my eye, but dont want to make an uninformed purchase. Are'nt there like 4 species?

btw....congrats on the new addition
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sticky thread at the top about species...
 
Venom SS;2460756; said:
sticky thread at the top about species...
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:iagree: have a read up on the stickied i.d thread above, heaps of info on the different types of cichla in there.. not all are commonly available though. Most common are ocells, monos, orinos, tems.. if you know where to look you can get keleberis, azuls & pinimas too.. If you upload a good pic of the guy at the lfs we can try and id him for you :)
 
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