Growth rate

[TarHeel671]

I have 3 Indo's and 2 NTTs that range between 2-2.5 inches. What is everyone's experience with their growth rate? How long will it take to reach 6 inches? They are currently in a 240g but still be moved into my 600g next month.

I have them on a mixed diet ranging from pellets, raw shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

 

[duanes]

With any fish, dats, cichlids, etc etc, the most important factor beyond nutrition is water quality, and water changes.
If you change 25% of your tanks water once per week holding nitrates down to 20ppm, they will grow slower than if you change 50% of your tanks water once per week, holding nitrates down to 10 ppm,..... or if you change 100% of your tanks water per week holding nitrates down below 5 ppm, they will even grow faster.
I try to change 100% of my tanks water in 30 to 40% of my total 300 gals of tank volume incremints every other day, and that holds nitrate conscentration to undetectable levels, and even though I skip feeding one day of every 3 days , the cichlid sgrow quite well.

 

[TarHeel671]

I understand that part. Three of my arowana's grew from 6.5 inches to 11 inches in less than 3 months. All of my oscars are growing fast as well. My flagtails and dats are growing at a slower rate. I do 75-80% water changes in my tanks every week, very rarely i will do it twice a week, if water parameters are requiring it.

I do appreciate your response and although your reply is true, its more of the generic/universal answer given to beginners. Given identical water parameters, some fish species grow quick in the first six months then their growth slows down and some species just don't grow much in the first six months. I'm looking for something that is more datnoid specific.

If you've owned a datnoid, i would love to hear your experience on how fast you have observed it grow, based on your water parameters and frequency of water changes.

 

[duanes]

Just discovered this study from Canadain Natural Resourse Dept

Nitrate
Nitrate is an essential plant nutrient, and high levels of nitrate in lakes and coastal
areas can therefore contribute to the excessive growth of plants and algae. This may
result in indirect toxic effects to other aquatic organisms. Algal "blooms" can reduce
oxygen levels in the water, putting stress on aquatic animals, and some types of
algae can produce toxins that are hazardous to other aquatic organisms (and
people). Excessive levels of nitrate are also directly harmful to aquatic animals.
Aquatic invertebrates and fish exposed to nitrate may be smaller, slower to mature,
or have lower reproductive success. Under extremely high exposure levels, aquatic
invertebrates and fish may die. Early life stages of aquatic animals are more
sensitive to nitrate than are juvenile and adult animals. Larval stages of amphibians
appear to be particularly sensitive to subtle effects from nitrate exposure. For
example, nitrate can reduce the overall size and weight of frog tadpoles by the time
they change into adults. This may reduce their ability to compete for food or mates
or to escape from predators.