I bought a New Male GT in October and he was about 2.5 inches. I just measured him today and he is 3.5 inches. I want this guy to be a beast. What makes cichlids grow large and fast. thanks.
How to make my GT grow Faster.
- Thread starter GTbEaSt
- Start date
Mine went from 1.5-2in to 3.5in within a month. I feed him a varied diet of NLS, Hikari Bio-Gold, Gold, and Excel plus frozen foods as a treat. I also change about 25% of his water once a week.
There are a lot of variables involved in the growth rates of fish. Clean water is probably the most important aspect of allowing a fish to grow to it maximum potential, 50% weekly water changes, a stable/suitable environment and quality food are keys to getting the most out of a particular species. Most hobbyists over feed to obtain quick growth, this is not however good for the fish in the long run that could lead to skeletal deformities and damage to internal organs such as the liver.
GTs are omnivorous however require more vegetable matter in their diet than most other omnivores. Foods high in animal protein are more difficult (take longer) to digest and tend to cause bacteria to build up in GTs digestive tracts leading to a lot of the problems people encounter keeping these fish.
The sex and genetics of the fish also plays a role in growth rates and generally females dont grow as fast or as big as males. Dominance is also a factor, I have had situations when keeping more than one male GT together and the dominant fish grew at a steady rate with nice color and the sub-dominant male stayed smaller and didnt color up like the Boss did.
Since you didnt give specifics as to your tank size, stocking, water conditions, decor ect. I gave a broad answer. In short keep the water clean, provide a comfortable/stress free environment and feed a diet high in vegetable matter and it will grow steadily and healthy at its own pace.
GTs are omnivorous however require more vegetable matter in their diet than most other omnivores. Foods high in animal protein are more difficult (take longer) to digest and tend to cause bacteria to build up in GTs digestive tracts leading to a lot of the problems people encounter keeping these fish.
The sex and genetics of the fish also plays a role in growth rates and generally females dont grow as fast or as big as males. Dominance is also a factor, I have had situations when keeping more than one male GT together and the dominant fish grew at a steady rate with nice color and the sub-dominant male stayed smaller and didnt color up like the Boss did.
Since you didnt give specifics as to your tank size, stocking, water conditions, decor ect. I gave a broad answer. In short keep the water clean, provide a comfortable/stress free environment and feed a diet high in vegetable matter and it will grow steadily and healthy at its own pace.
feed him commercially prepared beef heart once or twice a week or so (it has a lot of other stuff mixed in too so that he shouldn't have much trouble digesting it). that will definitely help him grow. just don't over do it, because that can lead to problems down the road. what are you feeding as a staple now. (i like the hikari in the red bag for qucik growth)
also what size tank and kind of filtration does he have now? i feel like the main reason that people's fish don't grow is ecause the owners have no idea what they're doing. your GT will need as a bare minimum a 55gal (if its a female) probably bigger if male. if your tank is too small, i can assure you that's why he/she isn't growing quickly. (even though that seems like a fairly normal growth rate for a GT) water quality is really important. if you keep it in somethin like a 10 gal(not saying that you are) then of course it will be slow-growing, stunted, and in poor health.
and i definitely agree with aquanero, water changes are the best! My GT's growth rate took off when i started daily 20-30% water changes on his 55
also what size tank and kind of filtration does he have now? i feel like the main reason that people's fish don't grow is ecause the owners have no idea what they're doing. your GT will need as a bare minimum a 55gal (if its a female) probably bigger if male. if your tank is too small, i can assure you that's why he/she isn't growing quickly. (even though that seems like a fairly normal growth rate for a GT) water quality is really important. if you keep it in somethin like a 10 gal(not saying that you are) then of course it will be slow-growing, stunted, and in poor health.
and i definitely agree with aquanero, water changes are the best! My GT's growth rate took off when i started daily 20-30% water changes on his 55
GTbEaSt;4716980; said:
Then your on the right track. Keep in mind GTs arent the faster growers in the world. Just continue what you are doing and listen to the advice the others give you and in no time you will have one SEXY GT.