Growout question for Cubans

[Chelu]

Although it is thought bloat is diet related, I believe general stress is the main bloat factor.
So if large ones, can intimidate smaller ones (or other more alpha cichlid tank mates), the smaller island cichlids will bloat.
Your 125 may be large enough, but in case you notice aggression, (overt or subtle) sometimes separating them from each other, with barriers, or in separate grow out tanks until large enough to select mates helps.
I have found Caribbean cichlids don't always react well to other cichlid species either .
On Cuba, or Hispaniola there is only the one cichlid species per island, so keeping them in a cichlid community may be problematic.
If water quality is allowed to degrade, water temp to high or low, is another factor that may contribute to bloat.I lost my first haitiensus with too low a temp, and growing them out, with another cichlid species growing out in the same tank.
A good pellet should be enough, with many small feedings throughout the day, as opposed to 1 or 2 large gorged type.
When I first had haitiensus this article helped in understanding island conditions
Oh, Island in the Sun. The Dominican Republic by Alf Stalsberg ...https://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=55&lang=de

Thanks again

 

[Chelu]

Although it is thought bloat is diet related, I believe general stress is the main bloat factor.
So if large ones, can intimidate smaller ones (or other more alpha cichlid tank mates), the smaller island cichlids will bloat.
Your 125 may be large enough, but in case you notice aggression, (overt or subtle) sometimes separating them from each other, with barriers, or in separate grow out tanks until large enough to select mates helps.
I have found Caribbean cichlids don't always react well to other cichlid species either .
On Cuba, or Hispaniola there is only the one cichlid species per island, so keeping them in a cichlid community may be problematic.
If water quality is allowed to degrade, water temp to high or low, is another factor that may contribute to bloat.I lost my first haitiensus with too low a temp, and growing them out, with another cichlid species growing out in the same tank.
A good pellet should be enough, with many small feedings throughout the day, as opposed to 1 or 2 large gorged type.
When I first had haitiensus this article helped in understanding island conditions
Oh, Island in the Sun. The Dominican Republic by Alf Stalsberg ...https://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=55&lang=de

One more question. What would you suggest as a good growth diet? I'm not trying to grow quickly as much as I would healthy. I am currently feeding NLS/Northfin veggie pellets. Would bloodworms be ok? Etc? I read they are prone to bloat, so I want to make sure I feed them the best diet.
Thanks again

Just an update. The guys I picked up about a month ago are growing really quick. At about what size will a possible pair form? So far they have been an amazing. Not to aggressive, but dominance has been established and the dominant one has grown twice as fast . And last question was about what size does the female start to have a black dorsal? Thanks again

 

[tlindsey]

Just an update. The guys I picked up about a month ago are growing really quick. At about what size will a possible pair form? So far they have been an amazing. Not to aggressive, but dominance has been established and the dominant one has grown twice as fast . And last question was about what size does the female start to have a black dorsal? Thanks again

View attachment 1350207

duanes

 

[Reiner]

I used to have a pair that I found paired up in the LFS tank an the male was 4" and the female 3" and they bred regularly

 

[Chelu]

Thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

This may helphttps://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...aggression-and-tank-size.680956/#post-7658992

 

[Chelu]

This may helphttps://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...aggression-and-tank-size.680956/#post-7658992

Thanks!

 

[duanes]

When mine first started spawning, the female was barely 3", and as in your growth rate, the fastest growing alpha male 5".
Once you do get a pair, if your experience is anything like mine, any other tetracanthus or similar cichlids in the tank will be in danger.

 

[Chelu]

When mine first started spawning, the female was barely 3", and as in your growth rate, the fastest growing alpha male 5".
Once you do get a pair, if your experience is anything like mine, any other tetracanthus or similar cichlids in the tank will be in danger.

duanes your thoughts on this guy's sex? You seem to know your Cubans really well. Thank you!

 

[duanes]

duanes your thoughts on this guy's sex?

Thats a tough one, because the photos are without the dorsal fin extended. An extended dorsal would show the solid dark area of female, or mottled dorsal of a male.

female above.
your last photo seems mottled, so could be a male, only time will tell.
Male below