Hey guys I have a green terror, salvini, and a fire mouth in a planted 75g tank. There is also a clown loach, leopard bushfish, and a senegal bichir in it. The three cichlids are still small, the largest being the salvini and he is only a 1.5-2in. Anyways I keep the tank 76-78*f. I am wondering if I raise the temp will that help the cichlids grow quicker as well as not hurt the plants or the other fish? Also would them growing faster do anything negative to their color long term? I mean will they develop to have the same looks regardless of what the temperature is as long as they are fed well and kept in good quality water?
How much does temperature effect growth rate
- Thread starter cjam93
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I have no clue about plants but...
Hugher tenps and more food will guve them noticeably faster growth. However, extended periods of very warm water (like 85+) will shorten life-span UNLESS the fish are supposed to be in that warm of water (and most arent). It shouldnt due much to color, and cichlids can change color at will anyways.
Hugher tenps and more food will guve them noticeably faster growth. However, extended periods of very warm water (like 85+) will shorten life-span UNLESS the fish are supposed to be in that warm of water (and most arent). It shouldnt due much to color, and cichlids can change color at will anyways.
I think it's a two way road. It could help them because they'll be more hungry so you'll be feeding them more.
But they'll also be producing more waste so you'll have to up the water changes.
I've never experienced it but I've read the high temps can also cause the fish to become more aggressive.
But they'll also be producing more waste so you'll have to up the water changes.
I've never experienced it but I've read the high temps can also cause the fish to become more aggressive.
I am under the opinion that anything you do to increase a fishes growth is not good for the fish in the long run. wither that is with high protein diet, warmer water or a combo of both. I have nothing to back this opinion up, just think a good diet at right temp with clean water will result in longer living large fish
rather than large short lived fish. At 2 years your fish may be bigger, at 5 years my fish may be bigger because yours is dead.
rather than large short lived fish. At 2 years your fish may be bigger, at 5 years my fish may be bigger because yours is dead.
I have experienced accelerated growth due to higher temps, the fish tend to be more aggressive as well due to their evelated metabolism. However I dont think it's a bad thing. I generally keep my tanks between 78-82 degrees. And I have had some pretty extreme growth spurts. So within a month or 2 I have gotten 2-3" growth on many different characins . I have never had that kind of growth on a cichilid other than an Oscar.
Temp is just one factor a minute one with regards to growth in tank. Feed and water quality and env also play a major role in growth.
Stress contributes to non growth and aquarium size is a consideration as well.
If you are hitting at all the right spots then you will see the growth spurt but let's say temp is high and food is good but water quality is ****ty then you will see a different result.
Fresh clean water, no stress, good food and more fresh clean water.
The type of fish matters too. Some fish are slow growers nothing can change it others grow like weeds. I say match the temp to what the particular fish needs and dont worry about growth
The type of fish matters too. Some fish are slow growers nothing can change it others grow like weeds. I say match the temp to what the particular fish needs and dont worry about growth