Green Texas growth and behavior

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
IMO, if you want more accelerated growth at least two 30-40% water changes per week are minimal (more is better).
My water change schedule is a 30-40% water change every other day in winter, and in summer almost every day sometimes a larger percent (I use old tank water to water the garden).
 
Bio load and size of tank largely determines water changes. Without knowing what the parameters are before the water change it's difficult to narrow down that as being an issue with regards to growth. Having said that if you have been lacking in regular water changes, various growth inhibiting substances can creep up, which could definitely cause growth issues. That would be my guess. You can't give a growing fish too much fresh water.

I caught a couple crayfish from a local creek and put them in there with him due to the cooler water
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A great way to introduce parasites and various pathogens that your domestic fish are not accustomed to, or immune to. Not a good idea, not good at all.
 
RD. said:
Bio load and size of tank largely determines water changes. Without knowing what the parameters are before the water change it's difficult to narrow down that as being an issue with regards to growth. Having said that if you have been lacking in regular water changes, various growth inhibiting substances can creep up, which could definitely cause growth issues. That would be my guess. You can't give a growing fish too much fresh water.



A great way to introduce parasites and various pathogens that your domestic fish are not accustomed to, or immune to. Not a good idea, not good at all.
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Okay I will get on a more stringent water change schedule for starters. I see your point on the crayfish, but its been months now that he has been in there so i figure he wouldve gotten sick by now. He has been kinda stuck at this size for a year so i dont think his lack of growth has so much to do with the crayfish. Noted though
 
Would it be a bad idea to move him to a smaller tank? By himself? Hes in a 75 gallon now. Would he still grow in a 40 breeder, but with bi weekly water changes?
 
The smaller the tank the more water changes will be needed, because its easier to overwhelm a smaller body of water with growth inhibiting pheromones and nitrate.
 
I think one of the contributing factors of my Texas' issue is putting crayfish that I caught in with him.

More dithers, especially silver ones, might help. As said, more water changes should help
 
pwmin said:
I think one of the contributing factors of my Texas' issue is putting crayfish that I caught in with him.

More dithers, especially silver ones, might help. As said, more water changes should help
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You also put a crayfish with your Texas? If its a problem i have no issue removing him and putting him back in the creek
 
astrocreep said:
You also put a crayfish with your Texas? If its a problem i have no issue removing him and putting him back in the creek
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I did thinking he would eat them and they make a great cleanup crew, but putting them in without at least purging and treating first isn't a great idea. Plus, they can inflict damage if you don't take their claws off.
 
If its a problem i have no issue removing him and putting him back in the creek
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Not a good idea to do that either, for the same reasons as noted previously.
 
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