alot depends on diet and tank size ,heat ,filtration .water change frequencyin a perfect world start out with a big tank at 86 degrees with a few airstones do a 50 % water change weekly keep the feedings two or three a day as much as they will consume in two minutes and no more if they dont eat it remove it from the tank and allways keep tons of aquarium salt handy incase they get ick you can grow just about any fish fast on feeders but feeders are like junk food to cichla i feed them as a treat only frozen bloodworms ,freeze dried krill tillapia fillets and pellets are the best way to go imo