So I’ve had this baby female Jaguar Cichlid for about 2 months now maybe a little longer and all this time she’s grown maybe half a inch, I’ve heard females and males grow about the same rate up to like 6-9 inches or something then the females slow down. Me and my buddy got ours the same day, fish the same age, his is a male and his is 3 inches mine is about 1.5 maybe, closer to 1 inch. Is this normal growth for a female Jaguar? I’m kinda worrying, she’s in a 75 gallon tank, so no reason not to grow, I just need some input
Test the water for nitrates using a liquid test, it needs to be less than 20ppm. Growth rate will vary with amount of water changes done (if you want fast growth change 15-25 gallons per day) and diet. Stress also plays a factor in growth rate. Stress from harassment from other fish or not feeling safe.
It's not unusual to see growth anywhere from 0.25-0.75' per month. You can try feeding chopped up earthworms during the first year.
It's not unusual to see growth anywhere from 0.25-0.75' per month. You can try feeding chopped up earthworms during the first year.
How do you know if you have a female at 1.5"?
I wouldn't sweat it if it's eating and your water parameters are on point. Males usually grow faster period. Looking at a tank full of jags the same age the biggest will usually be your males. Not 100% but I've yet to be let down doing this.
I wouldn't sweat it if it's eating and your water parameters are on point. Males usually grow faster period. Looking at a tank full of jags the same age the biggest will usually be your males. Not 100% but I've yet to be let down doing this.
I agree with Rocksor growth in cichlids (or any fish) is all about water changes. As long as its not being deprived of food by other tank mates.
The more, and larger the water changes you do the faster they grow.
Many discus breeders change 90% of the tanks water per day to get their discus to market faster.
All cichlids are constantly urinating, producing waste (which becomes nitrate), and hormones, which can be growth inhibiting, so unless they are removed from the tank, can slow growth. These invisible substances are not removed by normal filtration.
And if you have other cichlids in the tank, especially if they are larger, or older, they are producing similar hormones which can slow a younger cichlids growth.
The more, and larger the water changes you do the faster they grow.
Many discus breeders change 90% of the tanks water per day to get their discus to market faster.
All cichlids are constantly urinating, producing waste (which becomes nitrate), and hormones, which can be growth inhibiting, so unless they are removed from the tank, can slow growth. These invisible substances are not removed by normal filtration.
And if you have other cichlids in the tank, especially if they are larger, or older, they are producing similar hormones which can slow a younger cichlids growth.
I do around 20-40% water changes every week, I’ll start doing them more like you said, and I feed her brine shrimp, that’s all she will eat, I’ve tried many different foods, all she will eat is the shrimp.
The brine shrimp will limit her growth due to low nutritional value for a fish that size. Need to get her to eat more foods
I agree again, brine shrimp has incomplete nutrition.
A well made pellet is much better.
And once per week water changes are a bit lite if looking for good growth.
A well made pellet is much better.
And once per week water changes are a bit lite if looking for good growth.